Radiology exams cost 131 million euros in 2024

"In 2024, the NHS's expenditure on the conventional radiology sector reached approximately 131.3 million euros, which represents a reduction of 0.7% compared to 2023," indicates the ERS in the conclusions of a monitoring of this area.

According to the regulator, there was an expenditure of 12,949 euros per 1,000 inhabitants.

The costs of the regional health administrations (ARS) of the Center and Alentejo regions increased by 7.2% and 0.7%, respectively. Meanwhile, there were reductions in the Algarve (-4.6%), Lisbon and Tagus Valley (-4.0%), and the North (-1.1%).

«Despite the slight overall reduction, the largest expenditure amounts in the conventional radiology sector continued to be concentrated in the North (52.2 million euros) and Lisbon and Tagus Valley (43.8 million euros) regions, which is expected given their higher population densities», maintains the ERS.

The regions of Alentejo (4.9 million euros) and Algarve (4.7 million euros) recorded the lowest values.

«The analysis of the costs of the conventional radiology sector, weighted per 1,000 inhabitants, showed that, in 2024, in mainland Portugal, there was a slight decrease compared to the previous year, falling from 13,037 euros (in 2023) to 12,949 euros, which represents a reduction of 88 euros», he highlights.

The reduction occurred after growth (of 245 euros) between 2022 and 2023, revealing a slowdown in the trend of increases in charges per inhabitant.

The ERS indicates that, at a regional level, the Central region stood out, the only one to show a significant increase in 2024 (1,016 euros more than in 2023), reaching the highest value at a national level (15,089 euros per 1,000 inhabitants).

In turn, the regions of Lisbon and Tagus Valley and the Algarve saw the largest reductions in charges per 1,000 inhabitants last year, with reductions of €485 and €469, respectively, solidifying a downward trend in these areas, which already began in 2023.

The North region, which had recorded the highest value in 2023 (14,384 euros per 1,000 inhabitants), showed a slight drop in 2024 (minus 159 euros), while still maintaining a high level of per capita expenditure (14,225 euros per 1,000 inhabitants).

In turn, the Alentejo region showed a marginal increase of 72 euros, remaining the region with the lowest charges (10,302 euros per 1,000 inhabitants), alongside the Algarve.

At the end of last year, the Regulated Establishments Registration System (SRER) included 716 establishments providing care in the area of radiology, 21 more than in 2023, of which 84.9% were non-public.

Establishments holding agreements in the area of radiology represented 55.4% of the total private market in mainland Portugal, although in 54.7% of Portuguese municipalities there was no agreed offer available.

Regarding demand, 458 requests were accepted per 1,000 inhabitants, with a national growth of 0.6% compared to 2023.

The North and Center regions showed the highest values, while the Algarve (-16.2%) and Alentejo (-11.2%) showed the largest drops.

At a competitive level, it was found that the 46 operators with the highest volume of paid requests were responsible for 80.2% of the total requests accepted for payment.

Photo: National Cancer Institute / Unsplash.