Although radiology has employed clinical analytics for more than a decade, the field is in its infancy. Nonetheless, the possibilities are tantalizing—if technological, economic, political, and interoperability hurdles can be cleared.

The ACO, a relatively new concept that met with great skepticism when it appeared in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, now ranks at the top of the conversation-starter list in the radiology community. Imaging providers have debated whether it is necessary for them to engage with these entities, and, if they do, what roles they would play. The current consensus not only is that radiology cannot afford to ignore the ACO model, but also that a strategic approach must be followed if providers are to assume their positions successfully under the ACO umbrella.

For at least a dozen years, radiology has played a cat-and-mouse game with the notion of assuming a more active role in determining which patients get imaging. Due to concerns about referring physicians, the mouse, to date, remains elusive. The ascent of value creation in health care, however, has radiology not just thinking about a gatekeeping role, but preparing to assume one.

With the rapid changes in health care, radiology (like other specialties) has had to adapt to survive. Smaller practices have been acquired or consolidated with larger practices. This allows greater emphasis on efficiency, shared risk, and economies of scale. There is also a perceived sense of security that comes with the size of the organization. Larger organizations, in addition, have greater negotiating power with both providers and insurers. These practices have the ability to attract top-level management and administrative talent as well.

According to a new report by Irving Levin Associates, Inc., the health care merger and acquisition market may be cooling. Spending in the first quarter of this year was half of what it was during the same time last year.

The Pennsylvania Department of Insurance has finally approved insurer Highmark’s bid to purchase the struggling West Penn Allegheny Health System.

Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Ark) have introduced bi-partisan legislation to delay the mandatory closing of the Federal Helium Reserve this year and ensure the government’s effort to privatize its supply of helium is more orderly

According to the Association of American Physicians & Surgeons (AAPS) lawsuit, the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) Maintenance of Certification program is nothing but a "money making scheme" that violates antitrust law