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. 

HeartFlow Plaque Analysis Example

New Category I CPT code issued for AI-enabled coronary plaque analysis software

The news comes just days after CMS confirmed these technologies would start receiving expanded Medicare coverage in November. HeartFlow and other AI vendors have already shared their excitement over the decision. 

fatty liver disease hepatic steatosis

Radiologists issue ‘call to action’ on looming liver disease ‘crisis’

Imaging plays an essential role in addressing hepatic steatosis. Yet, radiologists have had almost zero involvement in shaping medical knowledge about the disease. 

healthcare value value-based care money dollar

Radiology societies say MACs’ refusal to cover imaging guidance for key procedure poses safety risk

ACR, the Society of Interventional Radiology and others recently submitted a letter to 5 of the 7 contractors, expressing concern about trigger-point injections. 

money business cash flow dollar

Private equity lobbying group, radiologist defend investors’ role in the imaging industry

The American Investment Council hosted an event Wednesday in Charlotte, N.C., featuring a fireside chat with AIC CEO Drew Maloney and Robert L. Mittl Jr., MD.

Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, MD, R-Iowa

Hundreds of lawmakers urge House to pass radiologist pay fix during lame duck session

“The overwhelming, bipartisan support is a testament to the importance of fixing this issue," said Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, MD, R-Iowa, who led the letter-writing effort. 

Raleigh Radiology

Raleigh Radiology bests UNC in battle over state’s certificate-of-need law

State authorities recently gave the 75-year-old private practice the go-ahead to purchase an MRI scanner for its imaging center in Clayton, North Carolina. 

Example of an automated artificial intelligence (AI) assessment of soft coronary plaque from a CT scan from the vendor Cleerly. The AI gives a very detailed report of all the plaque in all the coronary vessels. Some cardiology experts believe this may be the way of the future in screening patients for early coronary disease and monitoring the impact of prevention efforts such as statins to determine if more aggressive treatments are needed.

Medicare administrative contractors approve coverage of AI-enabled quantitative CT

Four of the seven Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs) announced they will now cover artificial intelligence-enabled quantitative coronary tomography (AI-QCT) and coronary plaque analysis (AI-CPA). 

Elizabeth Warren

Members of Congress introduce bill to halt private equity ‘looting’ of healthcare entities

The Stop Wall Street Looting Act closes regulatory loopholes and ends incentives that allow investors to “pillage” acquired businesses, Sen. Elizabeth Warren and colleagues note.  

Around the web

The patient, who was being cared for in the ICU, was not accompanied or monitored by nursing staff during his exam, despite being sedated.

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.