Objective: This article reviews the evidence on the relationship between recent increases in utilization of diagnostic imaging and self-referral. The evidence shows that self-referral invariably leads to higher utilization and the attendant higher costs.
Conclusion: Because most physicians do not own advanced imaging equipment, their own best interests are being thwarted by the practice of self-referral. Congress and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services should restrict the in-office ancillary services exception to the Stark laws as it applies to advanced imaging.