Facility Management

Increasing number of state reimbursement policies for CCTA build momentum for national coverage

In a move calculated to open doors for CT as a cardiac screening tool, GE Healthcare will market a software upgrade for its LightSpeed VCT that will dramatically reduce the radiation dose patients receive during cardiac CT.

CT colonography is effective in the right hands, complements conventional optical colonoscopy well, and appeals to consumers, according to a study of about 1100 patients at the University of Wisconsin, Madison.

FDG-PET’s ability to monitor and foresee tumor treatment response and long-term outcomes will be put to the test in a new national study run by the American College of Radiology Imaging Network.

Laser-based eye tests now in clinical trials for detection of Alzheimer’s disease have proven successful in spotting early molecular signs of the disease. The commercialization of these tests could ignite future demand for imaging studies of patients suspected of Alzheimer’s.

Laser-based eye tests now in clinical trials for detection of Alzheimer’s disease have proven successful in spotting early molecular signs of the disease. The commercialization of these tests could ignite future demand for imaging studies of patients suspected of Alzheimer’s.

One of the largest health insurers in the U.S. has solicited the American College of Radiology for its opinion regarding who should read coronary CT angiography studies.

Diagnostic Imaging roundtable tackles rationales and realities of efforts to rein in imaging use in radiology

Correlation between pre- and postcontrast images of knees could influence treatment evaluation

Ideal computer-aided detection tool combines high sensitivity with low false-positive rates

New advances in technology keep older modality in the picture for cost-effective cardiovascular diagnosis.

Cardiologist/trainer urges specialties to consider partnership models that capitalize on strengths of both cardiologists and radiologists

Insight stumbles in Q4, FYAgfa scores with sports med group

Experts agree: Coronary CT angiography is on track to be reimbursed throughout the country, by both Medicare intermediaries and private payers, by the end of 2008. But what can providers do to deal with reimbursement issues now, when payment is still up in the air?

Nearly 90% of the medical imaging procedures whose Medicare reimbursement rates would drop under the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 would bring in less than the estimated cost of performing them in physician offices and independent imaging centers, according to a report released Monday.

Nearly 90% of the outpatient imaging procedures earmarked for cuts under the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 would be reimbursed at rates lower than the estimated costs of performing the procedure, according to a study conducted by The Moran Company.

Hard though it is to believe, there is another issue facing outpatient imaging centers besides the Deficit Reduction Act, information technology, and turf wars. It’s the multimodality revolution, which encompasses plain film x-ray, ultrasound, and yes, even mammography.

By pinpointing the motor and language areas of the brain with functional MRI, surgeons can target brain tumors more effectively, while reducing the risk of damaging important cognitive and motor processes, according to a study in the September issue of Radiology.

It’s bad enough that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has proposed a $300 reduction for PET reimbursement. But the agency also wants to reimburse PET/CT at the same rate. The move has alarmed the PET community, as an increasing number of providers are purchasing the combined scanner at twice the cost of a dedicated PET machine.

Practitioners consider Europe in the quest for better quality

Organized coalition of imagers targets flimsy rationale behind Deficit Reduction Act

Continuing hurricane fallout includes revenues lost, rising imaging volumes, and an influx of uninsured patients