Background
The frequency, magnitude, and distribution of industry payments to radiologists are
not well understood.
Rationale and Objectives
The aim of this study was to analyze the distribution of industry payments to physicians
working in diagnostic radiology, interventional radiology, and radiation oncology,
study the categories of payments and determine their correlation.
Materials and Methods
The Open Payments Database from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services was accessed
and analyzed for the period from January 1, 2016 to December 31, 2020. Payments were
grouped into six categories: consulting fees, education, gifts, research, speaker
fees, and royalties/ownership. The total amount and types of industry payments going
to the top 5% group were determined overall and for each category of payment.
Results
From 2016 to 2020, a total of 513 020 payments, amounting to $370 782 608, were made
to 28 739 radiologists suggesting that approximately 70% of the 41 000 radiologists
in the US received at least one industry payment during the 5-year period. The median
payment value was $27 (IQR: $15-$120) and the median number of payments per physician
over the 5-year period was 4 (IQR: 1-13). Gifts were the most frequent payment type
made (76.4%), but accounted for only 4.8% of payment value. The median total value
of payments earned by members of the top 5% group over the 5-year period was $58 878
(IQR: $29 686-$162 425) ($11 776 per year) compared to $172 (IQR: $49-877) ($34 per
year) in the bottom 95% group. Members of the top 5% group received a median of 67
(IQR: 26-147) individual payments (13 payments per year) while members of the bottom
95% group received a median of 3 (IQR: 1-11) (0.6 payments per year).
Conclusion
Between 2016 and 2020, industry payments to radiologists were highly concentrated
both in terms of number/frequency and value of payments.
Key Words
Abbreviations:
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: May 18, 2023
Accepted:
April 17,
2023
Received in revised form:
April 17,
2023
Received:
April 7,
2023
Publication stage
In Press Corrected ProofIdentification
Copyright
© 2023 The Association of University Radiologists. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved All rights reserved.
