UnitedHealthcare to cover imaging AI software | Radiology heavy contributor to Medicare waste | Practice takes over RP contract

The payment program spent $484 million on 15 different low-value imaging services, a figure that balloons to $584 million when factoring for out-of-pocket costs.  

California-based Heartflow, which offers an AI software that assesses coronary CT angiography scans, hopes to raise over $200 million through the stock offering. 

Effective immediately, Midstate Radiology Associates will deliver imaging reads at Windham Hospital, in Willimantic, Conn. 

Dahl Memorial Healthcare, Ekalaka, Montana, can now offer computed tomography for a broader range of hours including evenings and weekends without paying for “costly” temps. 
 

PressGaney market researchers offer three observations on the technology’s potential for optimizing patient satisfaction—and, with it, subsequent ‘PX’ scores.  

Philips North America recently issued a series of urgent recalls, which pertain to thousands of the company's medical imaging machines. 

In 2024, the average radiologist saw their compensation climb about 7.5%, up to $571,749, behind only pediatric nephrology (15.6%), preventive medicine (10%), and pediatrics/general medicine (8.5%).  

Voluntary reporting started in January, while mandatory compliance is slated to begin in 2027, experts write in the Journal of the American College of Radiology.  

Christopher Whitlow, MD, is the Ivy League institution's new radiology leader, while John Chiminski joins the RP board, and Catheryn M. Yashar, MD, is set to become ASTRO president. 

Industry watchers have accused the healthcare conglomerate of having conflicting interests—employing docs and delivering medical imaging while also negotiating contracts with radiology practices.