Mobile Imaging Providers Bundle Services to Win Contracts
“We're seeing mobile providers bundle imaging with adjacent services—think stat reporting, teleradiology, and even staffing support—to lock in multi-year system contracts,” said a regional sales director on the *Imaging Leaders Roundtable* podcast. This strategy indicates a shift in the competitive landscape, where mobile imaging companies are moving beyond transactional equipment provision. They are instead positioning themselves as integrated service partners to secure long-term relationships with health systems.
- The global mobile imaging services market was valued at USD 16.5 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 27.9 billion by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 5.7%. This growth is driven by an aging population, the rising prevalence of chronic diseases, and the increasing demand for convenient healthcare solutions. - A significant trend driving outpatient imaging is the shift to lower-cost care settings, prompted by insurers like UnitedHealthcare and Cigna restricting MRIs and CTs in hospital-based departments. This move has compelled health systems to develop freestanding imaging strategies through acquisitions, joint ventures, or building new facilities to remain competitive. - The outsourced medical imaging market is expected to grow, with one forecast predicting a rise from USD 12.61 billion in 2024 to a higher figure by 2030, at a CAGR of 12.6%. North America held the largest revenue share in 2024, driven by high healthcare expenditure and advanced medical infrastructure. - Consolidation is a key trend, with a 348.5% increase in practices with 100 or more radiologists from 2014 to 2023. This shift towards larger, and often multispecialty, practices is influenced by the need for greater negotiating power with payers and access to capital. - Radiology practices face significant staffing shortages and burnout due to rising imaging volumes and stagnant workforce growth. This has increased demand for teleradiology and AI-powered solutions to improve operational efficiency and workflow. - The FDA is rapidly approving AI-enabled medical devices, with the total number reaching 882 by May 2024. Radiology applications make up the vast majority of these approvals, with tools designed to enhance diagnostic accuracy, streamline workflows, and prioritize critical cases. - Major players in the competitive mobile imaging landscape include Siemens Healthineers, GE Healthcare, and Philips Healthcare, who are focusing on technological advancements and strategic partnerships. Companies like RadNet, MedQuest, and DMS Health Technologies are recognized for their comprehensive mobile and fixed imaging service portfolios. - The 2025 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule includes a 2.83% reduction in the conversion factor, impacting reimbursement for many radiology procedures, though payment rates for CCTA procedures have increased. CMS has also finalized a rule, effective January 1, 2025, to separately pay for diagnostic radiopharmaceuticals with per-day costs exceeding $630, which is expected to improve access to these scans.
