Self-Referral in Medical Imaging: A Meta-Analysis of the Literature

The existing literature yields a combined relative frequency of imaging of 2.48 (95% confidence interval, 1.90-3.24) for self-referrers compared with non-self-referrers. Precise extrapolation of Medicare Part B costs attributable to self-referral would require changes in reporting requirements for imaging equipment ownership. Cost simulation results total billions of dollars annually and may be irrespective of potential inaccuracies in the GAO data as a result of Current Procedural Terminology® coding ambiguity and nontransparent reporting of equipment ownership.