Cardiologists look to CT to supplement their income
Cardiologists can make money owning CT scanners and performing coronary CT angiography, according to Timothy Attebery, CEO of South Carolina Heart Center in Columbia. Income from the center's coronary CTA scans has risen from $200,000 in 2002 to a projected annualized income of $1 million in 2005.
Cardiologists can make money owning CT scanners and performing coronary CT angiography, according to Timothy Attebery, CEO of South Carolina Heart Center in Columbia. Income from the center's coronary CTA scans has risen from $200,000 in 2002 to a projected annualized income of $1 million in 2005.
The SCHC owns the 16-slice scanner and has contracted with a radiology group in Columbia to provide exclusive overread services. The center must realize a revenue of about $4000 per day to break even on the technical fee. In 2004, it performed five to eight CTA scans daily and expects to be doing 15 per day by the end of this year, Attebery said at the North American Society for Cardiac Imaging meeting in October.
Cardiologists are aware of the efforts of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to reduce reimbursement for SPECT perfusion studies, which can constitute up to 30% of a cardiologist's income. In light of this, CT may be the next frontier in cardiac imaging, Attebery said.
Newsletter
Stay at the forefront of radiology with the Diagnostic Imaging newsletter, delivering the latest news, clinical insights, and imaging advancements for today’s radiologists.
Where Things Stand with the Radiologist Shortage
June 18th 2025A new report conveys the cumulative impact of ongoing challenges with radiologist residency positions, reimbursement, post-COVID-19 attrition rates and the aging of the population upon the persistent shortage of radiologists in the United States.
How to Successfully Launch a CCTA Program at Your Hospital or Practice
June 11th 2025Emphasizing increasing recognition of the capability of coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) for the evaluation of acute and stable chest pain, this author defuses common misperceptions and reviews key considerations for implementation of a CCTA program.
The Reading Room: Artificial Intelligence: What RSNA 2020 Offered, and What 2021 Could Bring
December 5th 2020Nina Kottler, M.D., chief medical officer of AI at Radiology Partners, discusses, during RSNA 2020, what new developments the annual meeting provided about these technologies, sessions to access, and what to expect in the coming year.
Mammography AI Platform for Five-Year Breast Cancer Risk Prediction Gets FDA De Novo Authorization
June 2nd 2025Through AI recognition of subtle patterns in breast tissue on screening mammograms, the Clairity Breast software reportedly provides validated risk scoring for predicting one’s five-year risk of breast cancer.
