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.

Sutter Acquires Radiological Associates of Sacramento

After learning to live without Sutter Health since 2010, Radiological Associates of Sacramento (RAS) will join once again with the Northern California-based health network

USPSTF to Revisit Breast Screening Guidelines

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force has announced a draft research plan for updating its 2009 breast cancer screening recommendations and is seeking public comment on that plan

Legislators Push CMS to Drop Idea of Loosening Device Maintenance Standards

Five Congressional representatives are asking CMS to not implement a proposed rule change that would allow hospitals to deviate from manufacturer maintenance recommendations for medical equipment

ACR Disagrees With CMS Breast Tomosynthesis Coding Guideline

The ACR has asked CMS to revise an online recommendation posted November 6 that tells providers to code the procedure using full-field mammography codes

13 Patient Groups Urge Congress to Reject Additional Imaging Cuts

More than 45 patient advocates representing 13 groups hand delivered a letter to members of Congress urging them to not approve policies that may hinder access to advanced medical imaging

Central Illinois Radiological Associates Joins SR

Strategic Radiology (SR) has strengthened its Midwest presence with the addition of Central Illinois Radiological Associates (CIRA), a group practice with 77 radiologists

RLI Seeks Leadership Luminary Award Nominations

The ACR’s Radiology Leadership Institute is accepting nominations for the 2014 RLI Leadership Luminary Award until Feb. 28, 2014

Surmounting the Challenges of Radiology-group Affiliation to Achieve Sustainability

IMP

In the most recent issue of this publication, I spoke of an emerging business model for radiology practices that want to maintain their independence while making the best use of economies of scale: local and/or regional affiliation. As hospitals and health systems continue to consolidate under emerging payment and delivery models, medical groups that hope to continue serving these customers as independent entities will have to increase in scope and scale to survive.

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