The Louisville, Kentucky-based insurer plans to eliminate approximately one-third of prior authorizations for outpatient services by Jan. 1. 

Radiology and other specialties have expressed concern in recent years that inadequate payment rates could push practices to close or stop accepting the federal payment plan for seniors. 

A California health system and a local morgue are facing accusations of gross negligence after the bodies of missing persons were discovered—some with identification still on them. The state Department of Public Health is investigating the incidents.

The insurer is challenging three phone calls made by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services that led to a docked rating for some of Humana’s plans. A previous challenge, which broadly contested the agency’s star rating criteria, was dismissed.

The statement is intended to standardize terminology, indications for CT use, acquisition parameters and reporting guidelines for patients with long COVID.

Alan Matsumoto, MD, explains the pros and cons of consolidation under hospital system and private equity ownership.

"Cutting payment for these lifesaving exams is not helpful. We look forward to working with regulators and those in Congress to arrive at more sensible imaging reimbursement policies," an ACR leader says. 

AI can hurt or help the cause of advancing equality of resources, services and outcomes in healthcare. If it’s to do more helping than hurting, the technology must permeate primary care—and do so with certain goals and guidelines.