Impact of restricting diagnostic imaging reimbursement for uncomplicated low back pain in Ontario: a population-based interrupted time series analysis.

ABSTRACT:

Background

In 2012, the Ontario government withdrew public insurance coverage of imaging tests for uncomplicated low back pain. We studied the impact of this restriction on test ordering by physicians.

Methods

We compared the numbers of lumbar spine radiography, computed tomography (CT) and single-segment magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies ordered by physicians in the 3 years before and after the policy change. We linked claims data from the Ontario Health Insurance Program with physician details to calculate rates per test-ordering physician. We compared changes in rates of monthly test ordering by family physicians and specialists before and after the policy change using segmented regression analysis of interrupted time series data.

Results

The number of lumba

SUBMITTER: Fine B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5741429 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature