# Should I Buy Groceries or Get a Diagnostic Scan?

## TL;DR

The paper discusses the high cost of diagnostic scans and how it affects patients' difficult choices between healthcare and basic needs like groceries.

## Contribution

The paper highlights the need for systemic changes to improve affordable and quality diagnostic care access.

## Key findings

- Diagnostic scans are often costly and contribute to financial strain on patients.
- Fragmented care from Independent Diagnostic Testing Facilities lacks consistent quality.
- Value-based care reforms are essential to address affordability and access issues.

## Abstract

The economic burden of medical care is shared (often disproportionately) between patients, health care systems, and payers. Diagnostic scans in particular provide valuable information for providers; however, imaging is often performed in high-cost settings. Independent Diagnostic Testing Facilities have emerged as viable options for patients, but care is often fragmented and may lack sufficient quality standards. To change health care, bold steps are needed to maximize value-based care, enhance access, and ensure affordability for communities. If this fails to occur, for many more years, we will unfortunately hear “should I buy groceries or get a diagnostic scan?”.