Policy & Regulations

This channel includes news coverage of healthcare policy and regulations set by Congress, the states, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and medical associations and societies.

Dexcom issues new recall for CGM apps due to safety risk—users urged to update immediately
The FDA has categorized this as a Class I recall. If patients update their phone or watch apps as needed, they can continue to use these devices like normal.
Why all heart patients should be vaccinated against the flu, COVID-19, RSV
The American College of Cardiology has shared new recommendations highlighting the protective benefits of a variety of vaccines. The new guidance also examines how to speak with patients who are hesitant to be vaccinated.
Medicare has denied $16M worth of radiology artificial intelligence claims
The federal payment program first started paying for AI in 2018 and has denied about 53% of claims (or 53,857) submitted by radiologists since then, experts detail in JACR.
Members of Congress propose tapping foreign-born physicians to relieve radiology workforce shortages
Lawmakers in both chambers have reintroduced the Healthcare Workforce Resilience Act, touting support from the American Hospital Association and several physician societies.
Medicare opts not to make CT radiation-related quality measure mandatory in 2027
The measure evaluates the proportion of scans that exceed certain thresholds for image noise or radiation dose across 18 categories.

UnitedHealth, AARP team up for hearing aid savings

UnitedHealthcare has teamed up with AARP to administer hearing aid solutions, including prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids.

FDA warns 7 companies for illegally selling dietary supplements that claim to treat CVD

The companies were given 15 days to provide an adequate response to the FDA's warning. The agency said its next step could include legal action.

Falsified timesheets get radiologist suspended years after the fact

A U.K. radiologist has received a six-month suspension for taking pay on unworked hours back in 2012 and 2013.

AMA opposes criminalization of pregnancy loss

The American Medical Association (AMA) released a number of new policy adoptions, including several in reaction to the recently changed reproductive health laws in the United States.

Researcher in hot water after manipulating PET imaging data for grant application

The researcher was seeking funding to further her study on the development of psychosis based on findings visualized on PET imaging.

PHE for COVID-19 will continue past January

The public health emergency enacted during the start of the COVID-19 pandemic will continue past January 2023.

Whole body nuc-med imaging a solid contributor to inpatient infection management

PET/CT with the common radiotracer 18F-FDG has been found useful for workups and monitoring of infections in real-world hospitalized patients, according to a study conducted by researchers at Yale and Stanford published Nov. 14.

Emergency referrers shown to care more about pursuing patient wellbeing than avoiding malpractice action

Contradicting prior research connecting heavy ordering of diagnostic exams with fear of malpractice charges—aka “defensive medicine”—a new survey shows ED referrers more focused on not harming patients than on not getting sued.

Policy & Regulations

Dexcom issues new recall for CGM apps due to safety risk—users urged to update immediately

Why all heart patients should be vaccinated against the flu, COVID-19, RSV

Medicare has denied $16M worth of radiology artificial intelligence claims

Members of Congress propose tapping foreign-born physicians to relieve radiology workforce shortages

Medicare opts not to make CT radiation-related quality measure mandatory in 2027