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Figure 1 Trends in Imaging Services Subject to the Sustainable Growth Rate Limit During the 6-Year Study Period (1999 to 2004)

Upper left bar graph showing numbers of services during the study period. All imaging services are depicted in light blue bars and subdivided into "heart imaging" (red bars) and "non-heart imaging" services (imaging services not involving evaluation of the heart [yellow bars]). Heart imaging services are further subdivided into echocardiography services (dark blue bars) and "other heart imaging" (including nuclear, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging of the heart but excluding echocardiography services [green bars]). The same format is used in the 2 lower panels. Upper right line graph demonstrating total number of Medicare enrollees during each year of the study period. Lower left bar graph showing the total number of professional service relative value units (RVUs) during the years of the study, expressed in constant 2005 RVU values and calculated by applying professional service RVUs (Current Procedural Terminology modifier –26) to every service except technical-component-only services; this excludes all technical components and costs of supplies such as imaging agents and isotopes. Lower right bar graph showing total Medicare allowed charges during the years of the study.