American College of Radiology (ACR)

The American College of Radiology represents diagnostic radiologists, radiation oncologists, interventional radiologists, nuclear medicine physicians and medical physicists. The society represents more than 41,000 diagnostic and interventional radiologists, radiation oncologists, nuclear medicine physicians and medical physicists. ACR helps members, through advocacy, quality and safety, and innovation, and serves as the voice of radiology, demonstrating value and setting standards to advance the field and practice.

Debra L. Monticciolo, MD, FACR, FSBI, past-president of both the Society of Breast Imaging (SBI), and the American College of Radiology (ACR), explains the current recommendations and a study she did looking at real patient data and projected outcomes using different screening parameters.

The debate over when women should start breast screenings

Debra Monticciolo, MD, who has previously led both the Society of Breast Imaging and the American College of Radiology, discussed how different screening strategies may impact patient outcomes.

ACR CEO outlines top trends in breast imaging

Dana Smetherman, MD, is a diagnostic radiologist who specializes in breast imaging. She spoke to Health Imaging about some key issues that have her attention in 2024 and beyond. 

Dana H. Smetherman, MD, MPH, MBA, FACR, the new CEO of the American College of Radiology (ACR), explains some of the hot button issues in radiology and advocacy efforts led by the ACR.

New ACR CEO outlines key concerns for radiology

Dana Smetherman, MD, MBA, explains some of the hot button issues in imaging and key advocacy efforts being undertaken by the college. 

Dana H. Smetherman, MD, MPH, MBA, FACR, the new CEO of the American College of Radiology (ACR), explains with the ongoing 2024 election, it is very unlikely there will be any serious reform to the Medicare payment system this year. She said further Medicare cuts set for 2025 also further threaten patient access to care.

Meaningful Medicare reform unlikely in 2024

New American College of Radiology CEO Dana Smetherman, MD, discusses the impact of reimbursement cuts, issues with staffing costs and prior authorization. 

AMA chart showing Medicare update payments compared to the cost of practice inflation between 2001-2024. The ongoing AMA PPI survey will be used top recalculate radiology practice expenses, but only 10 practices so far has submitted data that will impact all radiology practices.

Only 10 radiology practices completed survey used to adjust Medicare payments

The ACR shared its concerns about the lack of participation as the deadline approaches. 

ACR updates requirements for on-site staff overseeing contrast administration

A clinician trained to manage reactions should be on-site at any imaging facilities doing contrast studies to maintain patient safety.

ACR earns $100K grant to upgrade lung cancer registry

The college is one of seven groups to receive the grant aimed at improving best practices for lung cancer reporting.

Richard Heller, MD, RSNA Board member, associate chief medical officer for health policy and communications, and national director of pediatric radiology at Radiology Partners, explains some insurance companies are trying to take advantage of the No Surprises Billing Act by telling radiology practices they need to accept lower rates to remain part of the providers in-network.

Radiologists urged to report insurance companies forcing lower reimbursements due to No Surprises Act

Some payers are taking advantage of the NSA by forcing practices to accept lower rates to remain in-network, says Rad Partners' Richard Heller, MD. 

Around the web

The ACR hopes these changes, including the addition of diagnostic performance feedback, will help reduce the number of patients with incidental nodules lost to follow-up each year.

And it can do so with almost 100% accuracy as a first reader, according to a new large-scale analysis.

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