True Imaging Deserts Affect Just 1.9% of U.S. Population

Only 1.9% of Americans (6.4M) live in true imaging deserts with no scanner and no local radiologist; another 7.6% have a scanner but no local radiologist. Teleradiology helps, but those in deserts had 6% lower imaging use and 8.9% lower Medicare payments per beneficiary.

• 90% of Americans (307.4M) were considered fully served by imaging, with local acquisition and remote interpretation available.
• Nearly 7.6% have scanner access but no local radiologist, illustrating teleradiology's role in mitigating geographic gaps.
• Living in an imaging desert was associated with 6% lower imaging use and 8.9% lower Medicare payments per beneficiary.

Automated summary

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