New Report from Vizient Evaluates “MRI-compatible” Cardiac Rhythm Devices

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-compatible cardiac rhythm management (CRM) devices, such as pacemakers and implantable cardioverter defibrillators, have gained significant market share in recent months. This is putting a growing strain on hospital resources as Medicare continues to reimburse at the rate established for standard device implants, despite their higher cost. The result is an increase in total spend for CRM devices of 8 percent, based on current adoption rates, which translates to a greater than $400 million estimated cost increase for hospitals.

The Sg2 Impact of Change^® forecast, the health care industry’s go-to tool to understand future utilization trends, projects the CRM device market to grow roughly 2 percent each year over the next decade, meaning that this reimbursement hole will only continue to grow unless something is done.

“The rapid growth in the use of MRI-compatible devices by physicians reflects their focus on providing enhanced patient care both short and long term,” said Doug Beinborn, senior director, contract services at Vizient. “It also demonstrates a potential lack of understanding of the difference in device costs and the financial impact to the health care system.”

There are certainly patients who can benefit from these devices, but understanding the data and trends can help ensure appropriate patient selection while managing overall device spend, the authors report.

Multiple publications estimate that 25 to 50 percent of patients with CRM devices will not require an MRI study during their lifetime. For those who do, recent studies, including one published from the Mayo Clinic, have shown that a 1.5T MRI can be safely performed in patients with standard CRM devices if appropriate precautions and protocols are followed. Additionally, Vizient data show MRI usage appears to peak in patients around age 60 and then declines quickly as patients enter their mid-70s. Pacemaker and defibrillator implantation, on the other hand, peaks at age 79.

The data is unclear as to whether the declining number of MRI procedures in the older population is due to lack of necessity, limitations created from implanted CRM devices or other implanted medical devices, limitations created by non-MRI labeling and/or limitations on MRI reimbursement,” said Beinborn. “However, given the cost impact being experienced by providers, further research is needed to better understand this decline.”

The report was compiled by Vizient, the largest member-driven healthcare performance improvement company in the country. The full report can be accessed here: http://newsroom.vizientinc.com/sites/vha.newshq.businesswire.com/files/doc_library/file/Healthcare_Economics_of_MRI-compatible_CRM_Devices_vFinalWeb_090318.pdf

About Vizient, Inc.

Vizient, Inc., the largest member-driven health care performance improvement company in the country, provides innovative data-driven solutions, expertise and collaborative opportunities that lead to improved patient outcomes and lower costs. Vizient’s diverse membership base includes academic medical centers, pediatric facilities, community hospitals, integrated health delivery networks and non-acute health care providers and represents approximately $100 billion in annual purchasing volume. The Vizient brand identity represents the integration of VHA Inc., University HealthSystem Consortium and Novation, which combined in 2015, as well as MedAssets’ Spend and Clinical Resource Management (SCM) segment, including Sg2, which was acquired in 2016. In 2018, Vizient again received a World’s Most Ethical Company designation from the Ethisphere Institute. Vizient’s headquarters are in Irving, Texas, with locations in Chicago and other cities across the United States. Please visit www.vizientinc.com as well as our newsroom, blog, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube pages for more information about the company.