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.

OIG, CMS Propose Expanding Anti-Kickback Safe Harbors to Speed EHR Adoption

Under Federal anti-kickback regulations, giving referring physicians software has long counted as a valuable gift that could induce improper referrals. Now the government is recognizing that this well intentioned regulation may be harming efforts to increase interoperability of electronic health records (EHRs)

Health Care Remains Up in Otherwise Weak Jobs Report

Health care employment rose by in March to 14,516,600 people, making it one of the few bright spots in the Bureau of Labor Statistics monthly jobs report

Department of Energy Lab Develops Way to Image Moving Subjects

The technology could allow brain imaging of patients such as infants, children or adults with conditions that make holding still without restraints and anesthesia difficult

Merge Seeks to Refinance Debt

Merge Healthcare Inc. has commenced a cash tender offer for any and all of its $252 million outstanding aggregate principal amount of 11.75% Senior Secured Notes due 2015

Hawaii Passes Breast Density Legislation

Starting on January 1, 2014, all mammography providers in Hawaii must inform women with dense breast tissue about their breast density status at the time they deliver mammography results.

MITA “Disappointed and Surprised” by CMS PET Decision Memo

CMS’ Proposed Decision Memo for Positron Emission Tomography (FDG) for Solid Tumors crept under the radar last month, but strong reactions from industry associations are finally surfacing.

WSJ Highlights RSNA’s Image Share Efforts

The Wall Street Journal took a break from writing about all that is wrong with the economics of health care delivery to highlight something that is right — the efforts of radiologists to reduce duplicate scans through image sharing and make it easier for patients to get second opinions.

New York Times Blasts Medical Device Industry

The efforts of organizations like the Medical Imaging Technology Alliance (MITA) to end the medical device tax that went into effect this year drew the sharp rebuke of the New York Times' editorial board.