PURPOSE: To assess distribution, operation, and ownership of magnetic
resonance (MR) imagers in Virginia in 1991. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Que
stionnaires regarding ownership, location, hours of operation, annual
throughput, sources and amounts of revenue, and expenses were mailed t
o identified providers. Data, specifically regarding ownership and loc
ation, were analyzed. RESULTS: Staff from 95% of MR facilities respond
ed. Most facilities were located in and around major metropolitan area
s. Population density per imager ranged from one per 76,000 to one per
222,000 persons. Imagers in larger metropolitan areas were operated f
or longer hours with higher revenues and greater expenses than were th
ose in lower-population-density areas. Imagers owned by physicians in
a position to self-refer had the highest patient throughput, the most
revenue, and a much lower percentage of revenues from Medicare and Med
icaid than did other ownership types. CONCLUSION: Patient access to MR
services in Virginia is inhomogeneous. Important aspects of utilizati
on are location and ownership. Ownership by physicians who can self-re
fer is associated with higher use, greater overall revenues, and less
service to the poor and elderly.