THE PRICE OF MAMMOGRAPHY IN THE UNITED-STATES - DATA FROM THE NATIONAL SURVEY OF MAMMOGRAPHY FACILITIES

Data from the National Survey of Mammography Facilities are used to ex plore the efficiency of service delivery by mammography facilities. Sc reening mammography generally costs $100 or more. This study outlines principles recommended to lower unit costs of screening mammography an d examines the extent to which facilities surveyed employed them. It r eports charges, volume, and other facility characteristics, comparing them with the assumptions regarding these features in a study by the P hysician Pricing Review Commission. That study, sponsored by the feder al government, concluded that screening mammography can be delivered f or around $60; however, only 14 percent of the facilities achieved the requisite volume of 15 or more mammograms per day. Facilities must be come more efficient in order to charge the lower rates. This case stud y may have relevance for other potentially expensive preventive measur es and medical procedures.