Source: Researchers from Thomas Jefferson University Hospital
Key stats…
- 1998-2008 – Compound annual growth rate of 10 percent
- 2009-2010 – Decrease of 3.1 percent
- 2010 – 37.3% of all MRI exams are of the head
Radiology
Article – MITA: Obama Budget’s Imaging Provisions Threaten New Medical Technology Development and Patient Care
The medical device manufacturers’ industry association, MITA, says Obama Budget’s Imaging Provisions Threaten New Medical Technology Development and Patient Care.
Key notes…
- President Obama’s proposed 2014 budget …includes a recommendation for a prior authorization system through for-profit radiology benefit managers (RBMs).
- Several recent independent analyses have shown a decline in utilization of imaging technologies. The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission’s (MedPAC) annual report to Congress in March 2012 confirmed that imaging services fell by 2.5 percent in 2010, while non-imaging utilization increased 2 percent. These data are consistent with an analysis commissioned by MITA which found that Medicare spending per beneficiary in the field has dropped 13.2 percent since 2006 and imaging utilization declined by 3 percent. This contrasts markedly with the overall Medicare program, in which spending per beneficiary increased by 20 percent and non-imaging utilization rose by 2 percent.
Article – Death of the general radiologist: Have reports been exaggerated?
A friend shared this with me. Interesting stuff (requires registration, I think). Check out the comments, as well.
The author uses a phrase that I believe determines the outcome of many paths: “good enough”.
MP3 audio is lower audio quality than CDs, but people appreciated the flexibility that MP3 provided over fixed media—and the quality was “good enough”. The same battle of quality vs. cost/convenience is waging with monitors used for diagnosis, lossless vs. lossy image compression, mobile device access, dedicated equipment vs. app on multi-purpose device, etc.
Article – Creating a Clearer Picture of Patient Flow
It would be interesting to see the convergence of the output of SIIM‘s SWIM initiative and this application to understand real-time metrics of a Radiology department. The dashboard could show the actual location of patients, their spot in the prescribed workflow, and the comparison to statistical norms and/or KPIs.
Layered on top of a BI (business intelligence) platform for historic data analysis, and you would have something special.
Article – Imaging centers hit with surprise 30% cut for MRI codes
Full article is here, but requires (free) registration. A short summary (no registration required) is also available here.
The full article is worth a read as it goes into several reimbursement changes happening and pending.
An excerpt…
Because of adjustments made by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) in its assumptions about room use time for 2013, reimbursements for CPT code 73721 (lower extremity joint MRI) and 73221 (upper extremity joint MRI) have been cut dramatically, according to Mike Mabry, executive director of the Radiology Business Management Association (RBMA).
“To calculate [relative value units (RVUs)], Medicare estimates labor, medical supply, and equipment costs associated with every procedure,” Mabry told AuntMinnie.com. “For these two codes, CMS decreased its estimate of the amount of time the room would be used, from 63 minutes to 33 minutes. They cut the room time in half for those two codes, which results in lower equipment and direct costs and a lower technical component. That’s why freestanding centers are seeing cuts in the range of 30% for these two MRI codes.”
Rick Davis, vice president of Palm Coast Imaging, a freestanding center in Palm Coast, FL, was shocked when he saw his center’s Medicare explanation-of-benefits report.
“In 2012, reimbursement for CPT code 73721 was $427.21,” Davis told AuntMinnie.com. “This year, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services reduced the reimbursement to $297.58. If managed care companies follow suit, freestanding centers will find it difficult to remain open.”
Blog – March Madness in Radiology: the Push for ACOs
March Madness in Radiology: the Push for ACOs
This excerpt…
Prompt, consistent report delivery must be available and employ current technologic standards that streamline this, including tablet and smartphone delivery to providers. Rigorous quality reviews, peer evaluation and communication between radiologist and technical centers must be used to improve quality. Electronic methods of tracing and evaluating incidents should be employed.
…is on the money, but this technology platform should be part of the EMR (probably sourced as an add-on) and managed by the same group that manages the EMR, not Radiology. Radiology should indeed provide the guidance to configure the platform to meet Radiology’s needs, but they aren’t the only specialty that needs these tools, so a shared service is the best approach.
Article – Trainees in Radiology and Other Specialties See Dream Jobs Disappearing
Trainees in Radiology and Other Specialties See Dream Jobs Disappearing
…this article has been shared in many places, but if you haven’t read it, do.
Also, see this blog post response.
A Funny Post for Radiology Veterans
Some humor for my friends that can relate.
Don K Dennison 
