Business Intelligence

Providers utilize business intelligence to monitor referral patterns and collaborate with clinicians who order their services. Such analytics tools have also been deployed in the specialty to improve productivity, track patient satisfaction and bolster quality.

UnitedHealthcare launches rural Medicare Advantage pilot to cut reimbursement delays 50%
The insurer is planning to reduce reimbursement timelines for hospitals in Oklahoma, Idaho, Minnesota and Missouri from 30 days to 15. The details are unclear, but the company said the framework could extend nationwide.
AI roundup: Of workslop and rework | Patent that tech, industry player | Artificial Intellectualism, anyone?
Across industries, more than a third of the time saved by AI gets eaten by overstretched humans who have to clean up the technology’s sloppy work.
Epic, provider groups sue companies over alleged scheme to sell patient data
In a lawsuit, the EHR giant accuses Health Gorilla, et al., of posing as patient care entities to gain access to nearly 300,000 medical records, in violation of HIPAA. Health Gorilla vehemently denies the allegations.
Senate Report: UnitedHealth was aggressive in seeking higher Medicare Advantage payments
The Wall Street Journal obtained a copy of a report from the Senate Judiciary Committee, which reviewed more than 50,000 documents sent by UnitedHealth related to its Medicare Advantage patients. The outlet published the findings of the inquiry.
Walmart dips its toe back into healthcare with new digital platform
Less than two years after closing its patient care clinics and selling its telehealth services, Walmart is re-entering healthcare with a new platform to match patients with virtual providers.

Philips running short on MRI coil disposables, FDA advising providers to consider image-guidance alternatives

In a letter to providers, the agency recommends Philips clients in the affected product category consider any of three steps to cope with the interruption.

FDA greenlights new radiosurgery model, 3D maxillofacial printing product

Two technologies of interest to medical imagers, both imports from across the Atlantic, have become available to U.S. healthcare providers.

FDA approves collaborative 3D imaging software

An imaging software supplier in Australia has received the FDA’s OK to market a new 3D visualization product in the U.S.

1 in 10 American seniors has dementia, according to new study

A new study has revealed that approximately 10% of U.S. adults 65 and older have dementia, and 22% have mild cognitive impairment.

Growing demand for radiologic technologists reflected in 2 educational endeavors

A new scholarship looks to help address shorthanded staffing in facilities that employ mammography technologists. And a fresh acquisition will bring RT e-learning to a widely dispersed student body.

Radiology techs in especially high demand as 85% of hospitals seek ‘allied’ health workers

More than four-fifths of healthcare provider organizations are shorthanded of allied health professionals, and the job title with the most unfilled positions in the category is radiologic technologist.

Sun Nuclear, ScanLabMR, Spectrum Dynamics and a dozen more industry names in the news

Virtual reality vendors XRHealth (software) and HTC Vive (hardware) introduce glasses-based system for distracting patients undergoing MRI exams and other anxiety-provoking medical procedures (Oct. 19).

Private practice IRs out-earn academic peers, but fuller comparison suggests a wash on quantifiable pros and cons

The academics turn the tables in median starting salaries, edging out private-practice interventional radiologists $380,000 to $374,000 while also working fewer weekly call days.

Business Intelligence

UnitedHealthcare launches rural Medicare Advantage pilot to cut reimbursement delays 50%

AI roundup: Of workslop and rework | Patent that tech, industry player | Artificial Intellectualism, anyone?

Epic, provider groups sue companies over alleged scheme to sell patient data

Senate Report: UnitedHealth was aggressive in seeking higher Medicare Advantage payments

Walmart dips its toe back into healthcare with new digital platform