Mid-Year Benefits Check-In: Are You Getting the Most from Your Imaging Spend?

The same MRI scan can cost anywhere from $350 to more than $7,000 depending on where it's performed. Yet most employers (despite their fiduciary duty to do so) have no visibility into which end of that spectrum their members are landing on until claims data begins to tell the story.

A mid-year benefits review creates an opportunity to identify those patterns before year-end costs are locked in. With six months of utilization data available and time remaining to make adjustments, employers can uncover savings opportunities and ensure imaging dollars are being spent wisely.

A mid-year imaging audit should answer a few critical questions:

• Where are imaging services being performed? Understanding how often members use hospital-based facilities versus independent imaging centers can reveal significant savings opportunities.
• Are members being guided to high-value providers? Access to lower-cost, high-quality imaging options only creates savings when members know how to find them.
• What is the average cost per scan? Reviewing utilization and allowed amounts across common imaging procedures can highlight areas for improvement.

While protections like the No Surprises Act were implemented with the intent of reducing unexpected out-of-network bills, we are seeing situations where the Independent Dispute Resolution (IDR) process is actually driving up the cost of imaging. Employers remain responsible for total claims spend, making proactive utilization management an important part of any cost-containment strategy.

Green Imaging Can Help

A mid-year benefits check-in can reveal where imaging spend is concentrated and where savings opportunities exist. Green Imaging helps employers turn those opportunities into real savings by directing members to high-quality, cost-effective facilities through a transparent and patient-friendly process.

If you're evaluating healthcare costs heading into the second half of the year, we'd welcome the opportunity to share how Green Imaging helps employers achieve meaningful savings while improving the member experience.

Schedule a meeting with our team to learn more.