Six interventional radiologists (IRs) associated with Radiological Associates of Sacramento have filed a civil action against Sutter Health Sacramento Sierra Region for barring them from the operating suites at three Sacramento-area hospitals.

In a 417 to 1 vote, the House passed legislation to reverse a 21.3% SGR-mandated physician pay cut and grant a 2.2% pay increase instead. Rep George Miller (D-Calif) was the only holdout.

A new report, Medicaid Coverage and Spending in Health Reform: National and State-by-State Results, offers detailed analysis of the impact of the Medicaid expansion mandated by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) on state and federal Medicaid coverage and costs.

Left with no other choice, CMS has instructed its carriers to lift the hold on processing physician claims submitted since June 1 and begin paying the bills with the 21.3% negative sustainable growth rate update.

The Senate is expected to vote soon on a revised package of tax provisions and health spending that would grant physicians a 2.2% pay increase through November only, averting the 21.2% pay reduction that went into effect June 1.

AMA data-collection worksheets:

This article is the second installment in a four-part series on applying basic business concepts to radiology. To read the first installment, click here.

The 2006 Tax Relief and Health Care Act required the establishment of a physician quality reporting system. The requirement called for an incentive payment for eligible professionals who satisfactorily report data on quality measures for covered professional services furnished to Medicare beneficiaries. CMS ultimately named this program the