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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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
Topic
Advanced Visualization | Next-generation Architectures
Visage Imaging
A Step-by-step Guide to Implementing PQRI
The 2006 Tax Relief and Health Care Act required the establishment of a physician quality reporting system.
Capitation: An Inevitability Waiting to Happen
The author argues that health care (in general) and imaging (specifically) are on a 10-year track to capitation
DRA II: CMS Proposes Slashing the Technical Component Again
A proposed 90% equipment-utilization formula and brand-new lowball practice-expense data courtesy of the AMA will deal radiology a new round of cuts comparable to those contained in the DRA.
OIC Reimbursement: The Multipronged Attack
In an illustration used for hospital clients, analyst Shay Pratt pinpoints imaging centers for sale around the country
MSDRGs: Pitfalls and Opportunities
Ernest Glad, president of Cortell Health, Dallas, Texas, sees the 2007 CMS restructuring of the DRGs used in the inpatient prospective-payment system as an opportunity that many hospitals are currently squandering.
Further TC Cuts Ahead?
Due to inequities in payment methodology, are providers of imaging services overpaid?
Revised Anti-markup Rule: CMS Gets Creative
On November 19, 2008, CMS issued the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) for calendar year 2009.
The Dynamics of Reimbursement and High-quality Care
Access to high-quality patient care is a cornerstone of customer-focused service delivery, Michael A. Silver, PhD, says.
Proposed 2009 MPFS: Once Again, Imaging Takes a Disproportionate Impact
In what seems to be becoming as much a harbinger of summer as fireworks or cookouts, on July 7, 2008, CMS published its proposed Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) payment update for the next fiscal year.
CT Colonography: Ready for Prime Time
On June 18, 2008, a letter was sent to the CMS Coverage and Analysis Group seeking approval of CT colonography (CTC) as a generalized screening tool for colorectal cancer among asymptomatic Medicare patients 50 years of age or older.
Radiology Income Distribution: From Salary to Independent Practice to Megapractice
A CPA offers his perspective on the past and future of radiologist compensation, based on 30 years on the business side of radiology
Contract Evaluations: The Devil in the Details
An adage of the legal profession holds that if you’ve seen one contract, you have seen exactly one contract.
2008 Update on Non-hospital-based Outpatient Medicare Reimbursement
As part of GE Healthcare’s commitment to ongoing monitoring of the reimbursement situation, GE presented a Webcast on this topic on May 7, 2008.
A Thorny Question: Who is Responsible for Transcription Costs?
Radiology practices and hospitals historically have operated under the assumption that the cost of transcription is part of the technical component, and therefore the responsibility of the hospital, or the entity that owns the technology.
The Shifting Landscape of Cardiac CT Angiography Reimbursement
Many imaging providers have been wishing for changes in reimbursement policies for cardiac CT angiography (CCTA) for some time.
Practice Buyouts: What Should a Departing Physician Really Receive?
The largest asset of a radiology practice is the cash value of its accounts receivable, and that valuation is prominent in the deferred-compensation package for a retiring member.
Legislative Update: Calculating the True Cost of the DRA
As the medical imaging industry is well aware, the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 (DRA), effective January 1, 2007, directed severe reductions in payments for many imaging services in the physician office and independent facility setting.
EMI: The Last Cost-Cutting Frontier
The changing outpatient imaging business environment has made it imperative for all radiology managers to continually reduce operating expenses.
Think Tank : Is it Time for the Radiology (R) RVU in Medical Imaging Reimbursement?
The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services have both stated the important goals of maintaining access for Medicare beneficiaries, reducing cost, and improving quality as we move forward into the pay-for-performance future.
Doc Pay on the Docket
Will Congress replace the sustainable growth rate (SGR) factor with an alternative spending target?
Strategic Partnerships for 2007
Drastic reimbursement reductions for MR and CT in the freestanding setting have made joint ventures with referring physicians more attractive than ever.
