The Industrial-strength Imaging Executive
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.
Finger in the Wind
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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We provide strategic business and marketing expertise to assist in the growth of your medical imaging enterprise.
Our clients include radiology practices, imaging centers, and hospitals in large and small markets across the country.
Save the Date:
July 20, 2010 11am ESTTopic
Keep Your Hospital Relationships Healthy: Strategies for Every Practice
Presenters:
Randy Roat, CHBME, VP of Radiology, MMP, and George Ehrhardt, CPA, Director, Practice Management, MMP
Medical Management Professionals, Inc.
Topic
RIS to the Rescue | Strategies for Driving Revenue, Productivity and Profitability
Sectra
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Advanced Visualization | Next-generation Architectures
Visage Imaging
New Requirements for Documenting Imaging Orders
CMS published an interim final rule (with a comment period) on May 5, implementing several changes to the Medicare and Medicaid programs mandated by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA).
When the FDA Sneezes…
Whipped to an overblown froth by media attention, the radiation-safety issue will, for better or worse, get the attention that it demands
Alternative Imaging Business Structures and Arrangements: What’s Legal?
The changing regulatory landscape for imaging business structures has left considerable uncertainty about which arrangements are acceptable in the eyes of the law
Malpractice Premiums: MIA in the Health Care Debate
Health reform efforts have developed into a heated and contentious debate.
Grassroots Coalition Puts Collaboration Above Competition
The rival groups had targeted the same pool of patients in their marketing efforts, positioning their respective imaging facilities, in one of the most competitive markets in the country, as the best that the Big Apple had to offer.
ACR Economic Update: What to Expect From CMS in 2010
While health reform is still a legislative preoccupation, where regulatory agencies are concerned, the train has left the station, according to Maurine Spillman-Dennis, MPH, MBA. Spillman-Dennis is a senior director in the economics and health policy division of the ACR®, and she presented an economic update from the college at the RBMA Fall Educational Conference on October 12, 2009, in Phoenix, Arizona.
Sunshine Bill Renews Focus on Conflicts of Interest
While health care players and politicians have long debated the issue of medical transparency.
Isotope Shortage Hinders Nuclear Medicine
It was the worst news that the nuclear-medicine community could receive when, on August 12, Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd (AECL), Chalk River, Ontario, announced that the National Research Universal (NRU) reactor would remain shut down until at least January 2010.
Recovery Audit Contractors: Coming Soon to a Provider Near You
Medicare providers and suppliers nationwide have been preparing for increased Medicare audit activity in anticipation of the nationwide rollout of the permanent Recovery Audit Contractor (RAC) Program.
Maintaining a Steady Aim at a Moving Target
An overview of recent regulatory changes affecting diagnostic imaging
Busting Myths: Joint Ventures
Radiology groups should understand the tax implications of arrangements with hospitals before they begin negotiations, according to W. Kenneth Davis, Jr, JD.
Major Advances in Osteoporosis Assessment: New NOF Guidelines and the’s FRAX Risk-assessment Tool
Osteoporosis is a major public-health problem, with an estimated 44 million US residents at risk for fracture.¹
New Rules of the Game: Medical Directors Assume the Quality Burden
Demand for radiologists acting as medical directors could jump if a proposed regulation now under consideration by CMS is adopted.
The Next Wave: Compliance With Medicare IDTF Standards Requires Ongoing Diligence
To say that the health care regulatory environment has been active over the past two years would be an understatement.
CMS Proposes Changes to the Anti-Markup Rule: Round Two
The only constant is change is an apt mantra for the imaging industry over the past several years.
Recovery Audit Contractors and Medicare Audits: Successful Strategies for Defending Audits
The CMS Recovery Audit Contractor (RAC) program has been made permanent and is expanding nationwide, beginning this year.
Ethics, Steerage, and a Level Playing Field
How you feel about the issue of patient steerage depends, of course, on whether you are the beneficiary of a steady stream of unsuspecting patients being directed your way by payors determined to control every aspect of the delivery system.
Legislative Report: Another Temporary SGR Fix Is in the Wings
The CMS Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) is again the center of attention for the medical community.
CHAMP, Sustainable Growth Rate Reform, and Other Potential Payment-reduction Vehicles
Today’s imaging market is substantially different from that of earlier years; payment is less secure, coverage for new technology is more difficult to obtain, and government and private oversight are increasing.
Trends in Imaging Arrangements
Prior to 2007, medical practices that developed and used imaging facilities on an exclusive, full-time basis were not overly scrutinized by payors or regulators.
Regulatory Report: The Final Rule: Part-Time Lease Deals Out, Other Stark Measures on Hold
In last year’s Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) proposed rule, CMS described its concerns for the potential for fraud, waste and abuse of the Medicare program that may be caused by the growth of so-called “pod” or “condo” laboratories.
Amended Complaint Filed in Illinois Lease Case: Referring Physicians Still AWOL
An amended complaint filed by the Illinois Attorney General in the per-click leasing complaint, initially filed by a whistleblower last year, parsed out a few more legal entities that operated the 19 named imaging centers, but failed to name any of the referring physicians in the complaint.
Legislative Report: A Fast Start
This year already has proven to be a busy one for legislative activity in radiology.
Be Mindful of Stark in CCTA Alliances
Numerous radiology groups are currently discussing arrangements whereby cardiologists and the radiologists would essentially split the responsibilities for reading coronary CT angiography (“CCTA”) studies.
Practice Expense Changes Could Mean Trouble
As if the health care reimbursement picture for 2007 was not complex enough with the present and upcoming Deficit Reduction Act (DRA) changes for diagnostic imaging.
