Professional Associations

This page includes news coverage of medical associations and medical societies. Use these links to find focused news coverage from specific organizations: Cardiology Associations, Healthcare Associations, Radiology Associations.

breast cancer mammography screening mammogram scheduling

OB-GYN specialists urge more aggressive breast cancer screening amid rising case counts

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists wants women to begin regular mammography in their 40s as diagnoses climb among this age group. 

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. 

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. 

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). 

Humana

Radiology groups express ‘profound objection’ to Humana labeling interventional service as ‘unproven’

The Society of Interventional Radiology and others are concerned about commercial plan coverage for closed-loop spinal cord stimulation, a key pain-management technique. 

IV hospital room intravenous drip solution

ACR shares guidance for radiology providers facing IV supply shortages after hurricane

Baxter’s North Cove manufacturing site was significantly impacted by unprecedented rain and storm surge from Hurricane Helene hitting western North Carolina. 

The new cardiac PET radiotracer flurpiridaz F-18 is posed to be a major game changer and will likely lead to increased adoption of cardiac PET.

FDA approves GE HealthCare's flurpiridaz F-18 PET radiotracer for CAD

The newly approved radiotracer is seen as a major step forward for nuclear imaging technology. Specialists have been looking forward to its arrival on the market for quite some time.

District of Columbia DC congress capitol hill

American College of Radiology issues ‘call to action’ on key federal funding issue

ACR noted that Congress is returning from its August recess, with one of the “most critical” considerations pertaining to government funding for fiscal 2025. 

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.