Radiology practices and hospitals historically have operated under the assumption that the cost of transcription is part of the technical component, and therefore the responsibility of the hospital, or the entity that owns the technology. While there have been periodic attempts by hospitals to charge radiologists for transcription services in the

It has been said that the number one is the loneliest number, and it just may be that it is getting a whole lot lonelier. Illustrating this, the recently released 2007 Verispan Diagnostic Imaging Center Market Report features a section that depicts a dramatic change in the number of imaging centers describing themselves as being affiliated with

As marketing assumes a more prominent role in the evolution of imaging centers, perhaps the most important part of the marketing mix is good, old-fashioned customer service. After all, the very nature of the specialty is such that it does not lend itself to radiologist-patient interaction, so these crucial human interactions are delegated to people

Every year, radiology professionals who are responsible for ensuring the accuracy and compliance of coding and billing practices must do an internal assessment to ensure that their practices/organizations would withstand external scrutiny. In 2008, there continue to be many reimbursement, coding, and compliance challenges for radiology

When NightHawk Radiology, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, purchased the business infrastructure of St Paul Radiology in the summer of 2007, the entire industry took notice. In purchasing what is widely acknowledged to be one of radiology’s best business operations, NightHawk also acquired one of its strongest leaders in Mark Kleinschmidt, St Paul’s former

Staying abreast with (or, better yet, staying ahead of) the imaging-technology curve clearly follows a clinical imperative. Better imaging tools—in this case, 3D postprocessed reconstructions—have an immediate payoff for patient care. When a surgeon can use 3D imaging to measure and plan a vascular procedure better, for instance, the clinical

The recent business news about Microsoft making a run at Yahoo has me ruminating about the deal-making climate in outpatient imaging and how the current trend toward strategic partnerships, mergers, and acquisitions is changing the competitive landscape in many markets around the country. RadNet’s acquisition activity alone is driving consolidation

Many imaging providers have been wishing for changes in reimbursement policies for cardiac CT angiography (CCTA) for some time. Changes are about to be made, but those wishes may not be granted. In December 2007, CMS proposed major restrictions on coverage for CCTA that could take effect as early as March 2008. The conclusions that CMS discussed in