Brain Imaging Rates Low for Medicare Beneficiaries with Cognitive Impairment

Study of 1.1M Medicare patients: only 57% with new cognitive impairment received recommended brain imaging within a year; 66% for dementia vs 51% for MCI. MRI used in just 46% of scans, with lower rates in dual-eligible and Medicare Advantage groups.

• This is the first study to examine structural brain imaging use in the full Medicare population newly diagnosed with MCI or dementia.
• MRI accounted for 46% of scans and was the initial scan in only 29% of cases, indicating heavy reliance on CT despite guidelines recommending structural imaging.
• Medicare Advantage enrollees had lower imaging rates (54%) compared to traditional Medicare (61%), with dual-eligible beneficiaries faring worst—the authors call for equitable access.

Automated summary

RadPigeon summaries are original and for information only. They are not clinical advice.