CBO finds no savings from prior authorization for Medicare imaging
The latest Congressional Budget Office score of the economic effects of healthcare programs indicates that using prior authorization schemes in the Medicare program won't produce any savings.
U.S. interventional X-ray equipment market rebounding
After three years of contraction, the U.S. interventional X-ray equipment market has, as of the end of 2012, begun to veer back into positive growth, according to a report from the market research firm Frost & Sullivan.
U.S. could learn a lot from Canada about handling health policy decisions
In the world of public health--particularly as it relates to radiology--observers can be forgiven for developing a certain sense of frustration at the glacial pace at which government can arrive at sensible policy decisions. That's why a recent decision by the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care to replace all of its computed radiography equipment with digital radiography equipment is such a breath of fresh air.
Tomosynthesis demand on the rise
The demand for breast tomosynthesis continues to increase according to a report issued last week by Orem, Utah-based market research firm KLAS. Sixty-two percent of 121 imaging providers surveyed by KLAS said they would choose tomosynthesis if they had the chance to start over.
Bill calls for Medicare reimbursement for radiology assistants
U.S. Rep. Dave Reichert (R-Wash.) has introduced a bill called the Medicare Access to Radiology Care Act, which, if passed would, allow for Medicare coverage of qualified radiology assistant services.
How to deal with a radioactive patient
Patients who have undergone a nuclear imaging study with radioactive tracers become radiation emitters themselves--something people who come in close contact with those patients should be aware of.
Direct radiography trumps computed radiography for cancer detection
Digital direct radiography (DR) is more effective than computed radiography (CR) in detecting breast cancer, according to an online study published May 14 in the journal Radiology. Accordingly, the researchers suggest that women should be informed of the potential for lower cancer detection with CR.
Radiologic technologists need more CT training opportunities
Training opportunities for radiologic technologists in computed tomography are inadequate, according to the chief academic officer of the American Society of Radiologic Technologists.
Breast imaging market to hit $5 billion by 2017
The global breast imaging market is expected reach about $5 billion by 2017, according to a newly published report from Research and Markets.
Have we reached a tipping point for lung cancer screening reimbursement?
Another group has weighed on the issue of lung cancer screening, as the American Academy of Chest Physicians (AACP) last week issued guidelines recommending that people with a significant risk of developing lung cancer undergo annual low dose CT scans. It's the latest group to issue screening guidelines based on the results of the National Lung Screening Trial (NLST). While more and more organizations have issued screening guidelines, reimbursement issues remain at play here. Most private insurers and--more importantly--the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, don't cover this type of screening.
CDS alerts about dose, cost impact imaging test orders
Educating referring physicians about the costs of imaging exams, as well as radiation dose, can result in many of them changing their ordering decisions, according to a study published online in the journal Medical Care.
Reading rooms in clinical areas increase face-to-face time with referring docs
Institutions should consider embedding radiology reading rooms in clinical areas, rather than in one centrally located area to increase face-to-face time between radiologists and clinicians, according to new research published in the Journal of the American College of Radiology.
Radiologists struggling with MRI reimbursement cuts
Policy changes by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services that resulted in MRI reimbursement cuts are dramatically affecting radiology groups.
4 steps radiologists should take to meet Meaningful Use
In the latest issue of InPractice, Murray Reicher, M.D., co-founder of DR Systems, outlines several steps radiologists can take to implement Meaningful Use.
Free CT cancer screening program can be cost effective
A free lung cancer screening program implemented at Lahey Hospital in Burlington, Mass., aims to resolve lingering reimbursement issues with such CT procedures. The program's success is detailed in a recent issue of the Journal of the American College of Radiology.
Patient data at risk after X-ray scam
Protected health information for more than 17,000 patients of an orthopaedic clinic in North Carolina is at risk thanks to a silver-mining vendor scam.
Removing denial provisions won't increase imaging utilization
The removal of denial provisions in utilization management for advanced diagnostic imaging won't result in increased imaging, according to a study recently published in the Journal of the American College of Radiology.
PET/CT boosts inflammatory bowel disease detection
Inflammatory bowel diseases, such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, may be detected more easily by PET/CT, according to an article published in the May issue of the Journal of Nuclear Medicine.
Aspiring radiologists need a helping hand
If a recent Canadian study about a "culture of isolationism" in radiology is generalizable across the border into the U.S., it could be another sign that the industry may become an increasingly less attractive career choice for young physicians.
'Isolation' hurting radiology
A "hidden culture of isolationism" is plaguing many Canadian radiology centers, according to the results of a recent study published in the European Journal of Radiology.
