544 - National Utilization Trends of Transcatheter Biopsies in Medicare Part B Beneficiaries from 2000–2023

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate national utilization trends of transcatheter biopsies among Medicare Part B beneficiaries using the publicly available Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) data.

Materials and Methods: CMS Part B national summary data files from 2000 to 2023 were analyzed {1}. Transcatheter biopsy procedures were identified using Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) code 37200. Annual counts of beneficiaries were extracted and standardized as procedures per 1,000,000 Medicare Part B beneficiaries, with denominator data obtained from the Harvey L. Neiman Health Policy Institute {2}. This was done in order to make the counts comparable across different years. Joinpoint regression was used to identify inflection points in utilization and calculate annual percent changes (APCs) with 95% confidence intervals.

Results: The highest gross number of beneficiaries was observed in 2017 (n = 4,403) and the lowest in 2000 (n = 1,439). Standardized utilization peaked in 2014 (131.40 per 1,000,000) and reached its nadir in 2000 (47.21 per 1,000,000). Joinpoint regression identified two inflection points. From 2000–2003, utilization increased rapidly (APC, +17.21%; P < 0.001), followed by steady growth from 2003–2014 (APC, +5.18%; P < 0.001). Utilization then declined modestly from 2014–2023 (APC, –2.38%; P < 0.001).

Conclusion: Transcatheter biopsy utilization among Medicare Part B beneficiaries grew substantially between 2000 and 2014, followed by a gradual decline through 2023. The initial expansion likely reflects broader procedural adoption, increased access, and expanded indications, while the later decline may indicate market saturation, evolving clinical practice, reimbursement changes, or competition from alternative diagnostic technologies.