 |
The Decision to Become a Softer Mammogram Provider
UBC’s primary goal in providing MammoPad was to increase their mammography screening numbers. The center believed offering the cushion was powerful way to demonstrate their commitment to compassionate care to women in the community. The primary objectives of the center were to:
- Improve the patient experience
- Increase patient volume
- Increase compliance with recommended screening guidelines
- Increase the number of women who would recommend the University Breast Center for screening mammograms
UBC’s campaign to educate their community about the benefits of MammoPad included the following:an information letter to referring physicians, patient giveaways, posters, and ads and publicity in the local papers and on local television.
Results of the Campaign
Monthly screening mammography statistics were compared for the one-year period prior to offering MammoPad to one year following adoption of the cushion.
UBC’s monthly patient volume increased an average of 25 percent after MammoPad was introduced to the community. (The figure above compares the same 8 month-period of time prior/post MammoPad; June was excluded because the center closed for two weeks). The monthly increases in volume ranged from 10 to 41 percent, with the biggest increase occurring in the month immediately following the center’s adoption of the cushion.
UBC’s monthly patient volume increased an average of 25 percent after MammoPad was introduced to the community.
|
Financing MammoPad’s
Incremental Cost
At the time, the average Medicare reimbursement
rate in Tennessee was $132 per digital mammogram
and $89 per analog mammogram. Therefore, an
additional 1,300+ screening patients in the
digital system yields incremental revenue of
$171,600, more than covering the cost of MammoPad
(approx. $40,000) for all patients (6,700)
during the same time period. (UBC also provides
analog mammograms with MammoPad, so the actual
reimbursement rate is blended. Conservatively,
if 100% of patients received analog mammograms
at an average reimbursement rate of $89, the
additional increase in revenue would have totaled
$115,700, more than covering the cost of MammoPad.)
In UBC’s case, the cost of MammoPad proved to be more than budget neutral and had a positive impact on immediate revenue, with the resulting benefit of bringing additional patients into UTMC’s
system and likely downstream revenue from
additional procedures.
Conclusion
Increased competition, the need to attract women health-care decision makers, and the introduction of expensive imaging technology has increased the need for health care providers to build strong mammography screening programs. Combining the benefits of digital and comfort technologies offers women the very best mammogram experience.
 |
 |
|
|
