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.  

Researchers with Northwestern University in Chicago detailed their novel system in an analysis published by the Journal of the American College of Radiology. 

Despite its high accuracy, CTA can come with tradeoffs including requiring radiologists to review a high number of images looking for findings that can be subtle, increasing case complexity and workloads. 

Rising imaging volumes have led to an uptick in the unearthing of unexpected breast lesions, with a corresponding jump in follow-up examinations.

Experts are suggesting three solutions to address low-value thyroid imaging orders, including clinical decision support and education. 

Addressing these inappropriate imaging referrals is necessary to reduce healthcare costs, radiation exposure and pollution, experts write in Insights into Imaging. 

“Clinicians should carefully weigh the additional resource utilization against the potential benefit," Yale University emergency medicine experts write in JACR. 

About 30% of patients die within 90 days of implanting an inferior vena cava filter, yet a median of only about 6% are removed within this time span, experts write in JACR. 

Despite concerted attempts to reduce low-value imaging, the rate of individuals receiving radiographs stayed static between 2016 and 2022. 

Cancer is by far the most commonly overlooked diagnosis at 45%, followed by infections (14%), vascular issues (7%) and cardiac concerns, according to new research. 

Under the proposal, Medicare would add an interventional radiology payment pathway, creating a new reporting framework for IRs as part of MIPS.

Variable technologist training and skill levels, inconsistent onboarding and training, “constant” turnover, and a high number of unfilled positions all have contributed.