Excess Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Inappropriate Medical Imaging in Medicare Part B Population

Strategic Insights -

Data from research at Lahey Hospital and Medical Center suggests that medical imaging is a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions, with 4% to 26% of all imaging estimated to be inappropriate. Using data from the Medicare Part B population from 2017 to 2021, the study estimated that total inappropriate Medicare imaging examinations produced an average of 3.55 to 129.2 kT CO2e per year. This is equivalent to the greenhouse gas produced by the yearly electricity of a town of 2,000 to 72,000 people.

Key Takeaways:

  • Medical imaging is a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions, with 4% to 26% of all imaging estimated to be inappropriate.
  • The study estimated that total inappropriate Medicare imaging examinations produced an average of 3.55 to 129.2 kT CO2e per year.
  • MRI and CT imaging modalities accounted for the greatest proportion of greenhouse gas emissions, with 0.621-33.8 kT and 1.24-64.8 kT, respectively.
  • The study's findings support the need to reduce low-value imaging and adherence to appropriate use criteria for medical imaging.
  • Gregory Cavanagh and his team at Lahey Hospital and Medical Center conducted the research, which was peer-reviewed and published in the Journal of the American College of Radiology.

Statistics:

  • 4% to 26% of all medical imaging is estimated to be inappropriate (Source: Lahey Hospital and Medical Center study)
  • Total inappropriate Medicare imaging examinations produced an average of 3.55 to 129.2 kT CO2e per year (Source: Lahey Hospital and Medical Center study)
  • 0.621-33.8 kT CO2e of greenhouse gas emissions are attributed to MRI imaging on an annual basis (Source: Lahey Hospital and Medical Center study)
  • 1.24-64.8 kT CO2e of greenhouse gas emissions are attributed to CT imaging on an annual basis (Source: Lahey Hospital and Medical Center study)
  • 3.55 to 129.2 kT CO2e of greenhouse gas emissions are equivalent to the yearly electricity of a town of 2,000 to 72,000 people (Source: Lahey Hospital and Medical Center study)

Sources:

  • Excess Greenhouse Gas Emissions Associated With Inappropriate Medical Imaging In the Us Medicare Part B Population From 2017 To 2021 (Journal of the American College of Radiology, 2025;22(6):621-629)
  • NewsRx. Investigators from Lahey Hospital and Medical Center Release New Data on Insurance (Excess Greenhouse Gas Emissions Associated With Inappropriate Medical Imaging In the Us Medicare Part B Population From 2017 To 2021). Global Warming Focus. July 21, 2025; p 37.