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.

Repeat imaging rates higher when scans are interpreted by nurse practitioners, physician assistants
The finding is based on an analysis of nearly 1.4 million office-based imaging claims, conducted by the Harvey L. Neiman Health Policy Institute.
Members of Congress condemn Medicare model targeting ‘wasteful’ interventional radiology services
“It is not an exaggeration to say that the requirement of prior authorization for traditional Medicare services will kill seniors,” says Rep. Mark Pocan, D-Wis.
Referrers frequently failing to recommend patients for key interventional radiology procedure
An analysis of nearly 272,000 uterine fibroid healthcare encounters shows that only about 4% of women underwent uterine fibroid embolization, a minimally invasive IR treatment option.
WSJ: UnitedHealth seeks meeting with Trump as part of lobbying effort
The Wall Street Journal said that President Donald Trump has yet to meet with company representatives. However, UnitedHealth CEO Stephen Hemsley reportedly met with members of the administration in Washington.
Joysticks recalled after power wheelchairs move on their own, injuring a patient
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced a recall of Mo-Vis BVBA joysticks after a faulty firmware version was linked to the malfunction. Users will need to have their devices upgraded.

Healthcare groups urge Congress to extend hospital-at-home waivers

Dozens of healthcare groups have banded together to ask Congress to extend waivers for hospital care at home that were granted during the COVID-19 pandemic.

AI adoption is lagging in radiology and the rest of healthcare. Brookings experts answer why

Lack of trust in algorithms, challenges in data collection, and regulatory barriers are all impeding progress, the Washington-based research outfit argued.

Malpractice statute of limitations does not apply to hospital’s suit against radiology practice, court rules

Indiana's Medical Malpractice Act does not extend beyond the physician-patient relationship to encompass commercial contracts between providers, according to a recent ruling.

Examples of two lung cancers that were caught using low dose CT lung screening. Image from RSNA

Q&A: What updated reimbursement policies could mean for CT lung screening rates in the United States

The ACR said a recent reimbursement rule change for low-dose computed tomography (CT) lung screen scans will help open up screening to more patients.

Radiologist diagnoses multiple sclerosis via MRI, but patient doesn’t find out until 8 years later

A Massachusetts multispecialty center has dodged a malpractice suit after the patient missed the state's seven-year deadline to file.

Fujifilm files suit against rival ultrasound maker Butterfly Network claiming patent infringement

A Butterfly Network spokesperson said the company has a "robust" portfolio of patents and plans to defend itself against any claims in court.

HHS reports 40% decline in uninsured black Americans with the Affordable Care Act

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released a new report March 8 that shows historic gains in healthcare coverage among black Americans.

$9.5M jury award after CT reveals surgical sponge left in woman for 5 years

A radiologist spotted the sponge during a subsequent ED visit, but the info never made it to the patient nor the ordering physician.

Policy & Regulations

Repeat imaging rates higher when scans are interpreted by nurse practitioners, physician assistants

Members of Congress condemn Medicare model targeting ‘wasteful’ interventional radiology services

Referrers frequently failing to recommend patients for key interventional radiology procedure

WSJ: UnitedHealth seeks meeting with Trump as part of lobbying effort

Joysticks recalled after power wheelchairs move on their own, injuring a patient