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. 

healthcare value value-based care money dollar

AMA working with radiology groups to fix flawed approach that’s driving Medicare payment decisions

The Medicare Physician Fee Schedule utilizes 2006 cost information to develop practice expense relative values and resulting reimbursements. 

breast radiologist breast cancer mammography

Momentum builds as Missouri becomes the 18th state to pass law bolstering breast imaging coverage

It’s also the fifth local legislature to do so in 2023, following in the footsteps of Tennessee, Washington, Maryland and New Mexico. 

Thumbnail

Radiology Partners officially served with UnitedHealthcare lawsuit 3 months after initial filing

The window to serve RP with the complaint was slated to expire July 13, with a judge prepared to dismiss the case if the action was not completed

Medicare money payment

CMS seeks feedback on issuing separate payment for diagnostic radiopharmaceuticals

The agency issued its solicitation as part of the recently released 2024 Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System proposed rule. 

physician money payments dollars

Medicare fee schedule proposes pay cut for diagnostic and interventional radiology; ditching AUC program also on the table

Imaging advocates blasted the proposal shortly after its release, saying it's "unconscionable that radiology is again on the chopping block."   

Thumbnail

Number of radiologists in private practice falls below 50% for 1st time in a decade

Payment cuts in Medicare, rising costs and administrative burdens all are pushing providers to seek sales, the AMA said. 

Thumbnail

Radiology societies express ‘significant concern’ around proposed BlueCross BlueShield policy

BCBS last month suggested curtailing coverage for peripheral nerve stimulation devices, used to relieve pain, which drew ire from thousands of physicians. 

Thumbnail

Private equity’s ‘voracious’ acquisition of radiology practices is increasing imaging prices, study asserts

Such ownership changes were associated with an 8.2% price increase in radiology and statistically significant upticks across 8 of the 10 specialties examined. 

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.