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Regional medical practice variation in high-cost healthcare services: evidence from diagnostic imaging in Austria

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  • Berger, Michael
  • Czypionka, Thomas

Abstract

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a popular yet cost-intensive diagnostic measure whose strengths compared to other medical imaging technologies have led to increased application. But the benefits of aggressive testing are doubtful. The comparatively high MRI usage in Austria in combination with substantial regional variation has hence become a concern for its policy makers. We use a set of routine healthcare data on outpatient MRI service consumption of Austrian patients between Q3-2015 and Q2-2016 on the district level to investigate the extent of medical practice variation in a two-step statistical analysis combining multivariate regression models and Blinder–Oaxaca decomposition. District-level MRI exam rates per 1.000 inhabitants range from 52.38 to 128.69. Controlling for a set of regional characteristics in a multivariate regression model, we identify payer autonomy in regulating access to MRI scans as the biggest contributor to regional variation. Nevertheless, the statistical decomposition highlights that more than 70% of the regional variation remains unexplained by differences between the observable district characteristics. In the absence of epidemiological explanations, the substantial regional medical practice variation calls the efficiency of resource deployment into question.

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  • Berger, Michael & Czypionka, Thomas, 2021. "Regional medical practice variation in high-cost healthcare services: evidence from diagnostic imaging in Austria," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 112952, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    • Handle: RePEc:ehl:lserod:112952
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Berger, Michael & Six, Eva & Czypionka, Thomas, 2024. "Policy implications of heterogeneous demand reactions to changes in cost-sharing: patient-level evidence from Austria," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 121162, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    2. Susanne Mayer & Michael Berger & Alexander Konnopka & Valentin Brodszky & Silvia M. A. A. Evers & Leona Hakkaart-van Roijen & Mencia R. Guitérrez-Colosia & Luis Salvador-Carulla & A-La Park & William , 2022. "In Search for Comparability: The PECUNIA Reference Unit Costs for Health and Social Care Services in Europe," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(6), pages 1-15, March.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    blinder–Oaxaca decomposition; health policy; healthcare service utilization; magnetic resonance imaging; medical practice variation;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C33 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Multiple or Simultaneous Equation Models; Multiple Variables - - - Models with Panel Data; Spatio-temporal Models
    • H51 - Public Economics - - National Government Expenditures and Related Policies - - - Government Expenditures and Health
    • I18 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health

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