Policy & Regulations

This channel includes news coverage of healthcare policy and regulations set by Congress, the states, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and medical associations and societies. 

Breast arterial calcifications (BACs) identified on screening mammograms may help identify women who face a heightened risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD), according to a new analysis published in Clinical Imaging.

Incidental breast calcifications on mammograms linked to much higher risk of cardiovascular disease

These findings may say a lot more about a patient's long-term health than clinicians realized. 

Medicare money payment

MedPAC recommends ‘woefully inadequate’ pay update for radiologists in 2025

The average physician would receive 3% higher Medicare payments next year following the update, commissioners estimate. 

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American College of Radiology meets with MedPAC to discuss paying for imaging AI

The college said it emphasized that “thoughtful assessment” will be needed to address where artificial intelligence belongs on the Medicare payment schedule. 

Jesse M. Ehrenfeld

Physicians criticize insurance lobby’s ‘tone-deaf’ response to Change Healthcare cyberattack

“This approach is particularly galling since service outages have exacerbated the administrative burdens and care delays already associated with" prior authorization, AMA said. 

cyberattack cybersecurity IT

Federal government opens investigation into Change Healthcare cyberattack

Health and Human Services’ Office for Civil Rights wants to know whether hackers captured sensitive patient information during the breach. 
 

healthcare value value-based care money dollar

American College of Radiology issues guidance related to unusual new CPT code

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services now reimburses for code 76145, allowing physicists to contribute monetary value to the care team for their work

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American Society for Radiation Oncology urges CMS to end virtual supervision of radiotherapy

"I'm struggling to understand the Luddite-level myopia around this topic," one radiation oncologist shared on social media. 

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CMS offers advance payment to physicians amid Change Healthcare ‘crisis’

Part B suppliers experiencing claims disruptions due to the cyberattack can apply to the agency for potential relief. 

Around the web

The nuclear imaging isotope shortage of molybdenum-99 may be over now that the sidelined reactor is restarting. ASNC's president says PET and new SPECT technologies helped cardiac imaging labs better weather the storm.

CMS has more than doubled the CCTA payment rate from $175 to $357.13. The move, expected to have a significant impact on the utilization of cardiac CT, received immediate praise from imaging specialists.

The all-in-one Omni Legend PET/CT scanner is now being manufactured in a new production facility in Waukesha, Wisconsin.