by Curtis Kauffman-Pickelle
Today’s medical-imaging profession is definitely not for the fragile and weak-kneed among our colleagues. It is becoming increasingly clear that navigating the constant changes and challenges that face the practice of radiology today will be the ultimate test of tenacity, perseverance, and creativity. We’re in the playoffs now, and the game is moving to the big-time arena—where the margin for error is nil.
by Cheryl Proval
Physicians are in a real bind as fee-for-service reimbursement falls under attack and alternative payment methods (such as bundling and capitation) gain traction in Washington, DC. As of June 18, Medicare Part B claims were being processed with the 21.3% cut mandated by the sustainable growth rate’s formula, and House Democrats demanded legislation on jobs before they would pass the Senate bill to reverse the cut.
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It began with the DRA, and ever since, CMS and Congress have set upon outpatient imaging like dogs on a bone, culminating in a new round of cuts to the technical component contained in the health-reform law. As a result, operations at many outpatient-imaging organizations came into acute focus in 2005, and they continue to be scrutinized.
Significant market trends, over the past few years, have affected the competitive environment between hospitals and physician-owned freestanding imaging centers.
As the deadline inches closer, radiology providers around the country are scrambling to meet new CMS accreditation requirements for MRI, CT, and nuclear medicine.
After unprecedented growth over the past two decades, freestanding imaging providers have found the past few years challenging.
It’s design that can make patients choose one imaging provider over another, according to Morris A. Stein, FAIA, FACHA.
Accreditation is important to radiology providers not only in ensuring reimbursement eligibility and protecting turf
The ACR is set to launch a new modular MRI accreditation program designed to meet the specific practice patterns of individual facilities.
In the post-Deficit Reduction Act (DRA) era, many current and would-be imaging providers are left with the same fundamental and related questions.
Last August, the news that Novant Health, Inc, Winston-Salem, NC, had offered $45 million (with an additional performance-based contingency of $35 million and the assumption of all outstanding debt) for Alpharetta, Ga-based MedQuest set the outpatient imaging world abuzz.
Easy answers to the question of imaging center valuation abound, but are they the right answers?
With the cost of advanced imaging technology always on the rise and reimbursement continually declining, now, more than ever, it is crucial that imaging centers negotiate optimal managed care contracts.
Increased imaging center transactional activity, changes in health care regulatory law.
While McCormick Place hummed with science and commerce across town, an unusual gathering of top outpatient imaging center executives met for breakfast on the sixth floor of Chicago’s University Club on Tuesday, November 20.
Last January, UnitedHealthcare, Edina, Minn, became the first insurer in America to require nationwide accreditation for all outpatient-imaging providers, effective March 2008.
United Healthcare’s decision to require MRI accreditation after March 1, 2008, initiated a trend among payers that is likely to gain steam.
In announcing that all network imaging centers must be accredited by March of next year, UnitedHealthcare, Minnetonka, Minn, has added accelerated the trend toward imaging center accreditation and technical privileging requirements.