Cardiac CT and coronary CTA: early Medicare claims analysis of national and regional utilization and coverage.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to assess trends in utilization and Medicare coverage of cardiac CT and coronary CT angiography (CCTA).

METHODS

Medicare claims for cardiac CT and CCTA were identified for the first 3 complete years for which Current Procedural Terminology(®) tracking codes existed (2006-2008). The frequencies of billed and denied services were extracted on national and regional bases, along with reporting physician specialty and site of service.

RESULTS

Total annual claims for cardiac CT and CCTA services for Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries increased from 58,124 to 95,269 (+64%) between 2006 and 2008. The overall percentage of denied claims decreased from 34% to 21% (20,014 of 58,124 to 20,062 of 95,269, P < .001), with the highest denial rate for calcium scoring studies (declining from 82% to 61%) and the lowest rate for CCTA (29% to 14%). Annual overall regional denial rates ranged from 8.9% to 80.6%. Of all 254,672 base services, 138,136 claims (54%) were submitted by cardiologists, 90,767 (36%) by radiologists, and 13,445 (5%) by others. In 12,324 cases (5%), provider specialty was undetermined. Two-thirds (67%) of services were reported in the office setting (170,511), followed by the outpatient hospital (64,008 [25%]), inpatient hospital (15,922 [6%]), ER (1,577 [1%]), and all other (2,654 [1%]) settings.

CONCLUSION

Most cardiac CT and CCTA services are reported by cardiologists and most takes place in private office and outpatient hospital settings. During the first 3 years of Current Procedural Terminology tracking codes, the utilization of cardiac CT and CCTA by Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries increased by 64%. Despite perceptions that new technology tracking codes are rarely payable, a large majority of all examinations are reimbursed by Medicare. Coverage varies regionally but overall has improved, setting the stage for expanded patient access.