One physician criticized UHC's effort to reduce the burden of prior authorization, calling it a "good PR project." 

Many of these exams are ultimately deemed normal, and their results often do not affect how patients’ headaches are managed. 

The healthcare sector continues to face “financial headwinds,” with several “distress drivers” pushing providers toward Chapter 11. 

Understanding about the profession remains low among patients and PCPs, with the latter essential to fueling procedure volumes, experts noted. 

Such organizations often lack the required IT infrastructure, population health expertise and relationships to navigate value-based care models. 

"This reduced talent pool, coupled with increasing demands in radiology, will negatively affect the quality and access to care for patients," experts wrote in JACR. 

Ideally, educational pamphlets for patients should be written at a sixth grade reading level, according to the American Medical Association.

Beginning September 10, breast imaging facilities will be required to notify patients about the density of their breasts, among other regulatory changes.