Objectives: (1) Measure the frequency of outpatient radiologic procedures in female Medicare beneficiaries in Delaware; and (2) determine if women having those procedures had screening mammograms during the previous two years.
Methods: Delaware Medicare claims for mammography for 1996 and 1997 were linked with all claims for outpatient radiological services by female Medicare beneficiaries between January 1, 1998 and March 30, 1998 (the study period).
Results: Of 17,432 women receiving outpatient radiologic procedures during the study period, 12,730 did not have a mammogram during that period. Over 1/4 of the 46,374 female Medicare beneficiaries in Delaware had at least one outpatient radiologic procedure during the study period.
The majority (56.8%) of the women who did not have mammograms during the study period had no claim for prior two year mammography. Of 4,605 women having any outpatient radiologic procedure during the study period who were between ages 52 and 69 at the time, about 2/3 (3,050) had no mammography during the study period. Almost half (1,443 or 47.3%) of these women had no prior two year claim for mammography.
Conclusion: Outpatient radiographic procedures other than mammography are common among female Medicare beneficiaries. Many Delaware Medicare beneficiaries undergoing outpatient radiographic procedures are likely not to have had mammography during the previous two years. Radiologic facilities might be able to increase overall rates of screening mammography by offering it to women who have other radiologic procedures.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to: 1. Describe the frequency of prior 2 year mammography claims in female Medicare beneficiaries having other radiographic procedures; and 2. Propose interventions appropriate for radiologic offices aimed at increasing utilization of mammography
Keywords: Mammography, Utilization
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.