A hospital seeking to replace CT technology that does not meet the XR-29 standard has a wide range of slice counts and capabilities to consider, all the way up to state-of-the-art—but pricey—dual energy CT (DECT).

April 16, 2015, marked the beginning of a seismic shift in the healthcare landscape. On that day, the U.S. Senate passed H.R. 2, the MACRA, which repeals the SGR formula, extends the CHIP for two years, institutes a 0.5% increase in Medicare reimbursement over the next four and a half years and encourages physicians to transition to APMs.

Radiology has been hit hard by reimbursement cuts and regulations but the cutting-edge tools available are helping practices stay ahead of all the changes impacting the market.

The practice has identified a billing error or a compliance problem impacting Medicare coverage that resulted in the practice having received an overpayment from Medicare.

January 1, 2017, is likely to be a red-letter day for radiology. As of this date, physicians ordering advanced diagnostic imaging exams (CT, MRI, nuclear medicine, and PET) for Medicare beneficiaries must, in compliance with the Protecting Access to Medicare Act of 2014, consult government-approved, evidence-based appropriate use criteria through a clinical decision support (CDS) system.

The prices hospitals set for a series of common procedures increased by more than 10% between 2011 and 2013. That’s a faster surge than the rate of inflation—and it’s just one of 50 “things to know about healthcare costs” as spotlighted in a mid-year report from Becker’s Hospital CFO.

Imagine if you could image the future. You’d see the exact path your radiology group must take to protect, and expand, its business. You’d be safe, secure and satisfied.

“The one thing Democrats and Republicans agree about is mammograms: We need more, not less, screening. Meanwhile, screening has become radiology’s raison d’être, the treatment effect, the proof that imaging saves lives, the link between the radiologist in a dark room and the people.”