The 2015 proposed changes to the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) are consistent with those from previous years, continuing to whittle away the revenue stream of radiologists. While the overall impact to radiology is estimated at two percent based on the current proposal, there are some notable changes proposed that may cause the impact to be significantly higher in certain situations.

As radiology struggles to find its footing in an emerging healthcare delivery paradigm that emphasizes collaboration and accountability, radiologist Rasu Shrestha, MD, finds himself at the center of the fray at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Penn., where he was recently named chief innovation officer and president, Technology Development Center.

Amidst increasing concern from patients, as well as increased publicity about the effects of radiation exposure, hospital systems like St. Joseph’s/Candler, serving Savannah and the four surrounding counties of Chatham, Effingham, Bryan and Liberty, in Georgia, are proactively developing system-wide initiatives that reflect their commitment to reduce patients’ radiation exposure.

While researching PACS back in 2001 for his imaging center in Burlington, Canada, Dr. Coventry Louisy was unimpressed with some of the corporate types with whom he met during the vetting process, but after his meeting with Vijay Ramanathan, he knew he’d not only found the right PACS, but he’d also found a true partner in RamSoft. Nearly twenty years later, Dr. Louisy continues to be impressed with RamSoft’s innovative technology and workflow solutions. 

As valuation professionals, we actively follow publicly traded companies in the healthcare industry.  These companies provide insight into how company management and investors evaluate the opportunities and risks faced by a particular industry.  Challenges in the diagnostic imaging business are not unique; nearly all ancillary healthcare service companies are experiencing similar macroeconomic headwinds. However, ancillary healthcare stocks have continued to demonstrate gains.  

Over the past 20 years, the radiology specialty has adapted well to increasing volumes, while maintaining a high caliber of service.  However, certain macro-trends are bringing change: the move to fee-for-value vs. fee-for-volume means radiologists must navigate a new and radically different healthcare payment environment, says Brian Baker, founder and CEO of Franklin, Tenn.-based health care research firm Carealytics.

In imaging services, “getting it right” is of utmost importance when it comes to selecting the appropriate equipment, administering the correct radiation dose and delivering excellent patient care. Getting it right also is an imperative where staffing is concerned.

Despite the considerable progress that’s been made to bridge the gap between IT and radiology, in part through the development of sophisticated IT-based radiology practice solutions, a considerable understanding gap remains between those who implement and support solutions and those who use them.  According to results from a recent survey conducted by Adam H. Kaye, MD, MBA, of the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, and presented at the 2014 annual meeting of the Society of Imaging Informatics in Medicine (SIIM), individuals from IT and radiology staff working in the same facility feel like fish out of water when asked about the specific day-to-day workflows and decision-making processes of the other group. After completing a survey and participating in a shadowing experiment, the two groups gained alignment, achieved only because they were able to experience and understand the needs of the other group and recognize the importance of communication.