Facility Management

Company will sell systems now marketed by GENuclear medicine vendor ADAC Laboratories scored a coup this month over rival GE Medical Systems by signing an agreement with UGM Medical Systems for UGM's low-cost PET cameras. GE had been selling the

Bone densitometry firm Hologic (Hall A, #3447) will be breathing easier at its RSNA booth since the Health Care Financing Administration last month published revised Medicare reimbursement rates that correct misprinted figures released earlier this year.

As expected, one-time charges related to two recent acquisitions conspired to produce a $15.5 million loss for the third quarter (end-September) at bone densitometry firm Norland Medical Systems of White Plains, NY. Norland also reported lower revenues

Company reports good news on FDG reimbursementADAC Laboratories reported last week that sales of its Molecular Coincidence Detection high-energy imaging upgrade for gamma cameras rebounded in the company's fourth quarter (end-September). The

New rates provide big increases for axial, peripheral scansThe Health Care Financing Administration provided bone densitometry companies with a Halloween treat on Oct. 31 by releasing new bone densitometry reimbursement rates that include sharp

Bone densitometry firms will probably benefitA massive study designed to develop a database to identify women at risk of osteoporosis was launched this month with the backing of pharmaceutical giant Merck of Whitehouse Station, NJ, which markets

The bone densitometry market appears to have hit a rough patch. The once-hot segment has stumbled over the last several months as international demand slows, while equipment purchasing in the U.S. has been affected by confusion over proposed changes in

A wealthy Spanish industrialist has acquired a 52% position in magnetic source imaging developer Biomagnetic Technologies of San Diego. The acquisition represents the culmination of Enrique Maso's lifelong interest in the measurement of magnetism in the

Imaging center firm Medical Resources continues to grow through acquisitions. With the purchase of six centers in Ohio, Hackensack, NJ-based Medical Resources has 101 imaging centers in its stable. The company has also acquired RIS developer Dalcon

Shares of bone densitometry vendor Lunar plunged on Sept. 22 after the Madison, WI, company announced that it expected to post flat revenues and lower profits for its first fiscal quarter (end-September). The results were due to lower-than-expected

There may be light at the end of the tunnel regarding Medicare payments for studies with the PET radioisotope fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG). The Health Care Financing Administration last month informed members of the Institute for Clinical PET that the agency

Imaging center chain Medical Resources has acquired four more imaging centers to bring its nationwide total to 93. Two of the centers are in California, while the other two are in Florida and Pennsylvania. All together, the four centers contribute annual

Imaging center chain Medical Resources last month added to its expanding chain four more centers in Florida. The Hackensack, NJ, company paid $9.25 million in cash and notes convertible into Medical Resources common stock, plus the assumption of debt.

Congress orders HCFA to pay for telemedicineLegislation seen as boost for rural telemedicine providersIn a move being hailed as a landmark for the advancement of telemedicine in the U.S., Congress has included provisions requiring

Telemed advocates win Medicare triumphDepending on your vantage point, the Medicare reimbursement legislation adopted by Congress last month is either a major victory for the telemedicine industry, or little more than symbolism. The reality is

Raytel Medical has decided to hold onto its medical imaging business following an internal review of its activities in the industry. Raytel will continue developing its imaging business through additional investment, and will expand the offerings of

Imaging services investment confirms mobile's revivalDon't cry for mobile MRI. Despite sagging reimbursement levels, the U.S. shared imaging services business has steadily improved for those players that were able to tough it out past the

Information systems unit also reports difficultiesNuclear medicine vendor ADAC Laboratories last month reported strong growth in third-quarter revenues and operating income, but the positive numbers were overshadowed by a disturbing shortfall in

The Health Care Financing Administration has adopted a new national policy that substantially expands Medicare Part B coverage for magnetic resonance angiography. As of May 1, the federal healthcare insurance program began to routinely pay for lower

QCWatch helps mammography sites comply with MQSAA California software developer hopes that the growing trend toward accreditation and regulation of medical imaging equipment can work to its benefit. Argus Software of Redwood City, CA, has

Reimbursement issues retard center firm's growthImatron is in a bit of a bind. The South San Francisco, CA, vendor has seen an increase in sales of its premium ultrafast CT scanners this year, particularly in overseas markets. Imatron's financial

Imaging services firm InSight Health Services has signed an agreement to acquire an existing imaging center and to secure a majority ownership in the development of a new outpatient imaging center in the Midwest. The arrangement, which is expected to be

HCFA not likely to reimburse for telemedicine in near futureAgency's slow pace on issue draws ire of CongressThe Health Care Financing Administration will apparently soon inform Congress of its belief that any decision regarding

Increase in users should help FDG supplySometimes a competitor can turn out to be your best ally in business. Take the case of PET and coincidence detection imaging using gamma cameras. At first glance, PET appears to be under assault by its

Medical Resources continues to generate momentum in the consolidating imaging center industry. The Hackensack, NJ, company this month announced that it plans to add another 10 centers to its burgeoning network by acquiring the assets of Capstone