The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act suspended the sequestration payment adjustment percentage of 2% applied to all Medicare Fee-for-Service (FFS) claims from May 1 through December 31, 2020.  The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, extended the suspension period to March 31, 2021. An Act to Prevent Across-the-Board Direct Spending Cuts, and for Other Read More >>

New rules are being published under new administration. How will they shape the future of healthcare?

In line with the agenda of Executive Order 13985, health equality for all patients appears to be the theme. The transparency of healthcare quality will continue to expand. As more of the responsibility is being placed on the consumer, the transparency will allow them to make informed decision and promote provider accountability.

April 9, 2021 — 3-D mammography reduces the number of breast cancer cases diagnosed in the period between routine screenings, when compared with traditional mammography, according to a large study from Lund University in Sweden. The results are published in the journal Radiology. “Our results indicate that 3-D mammography, or digital breast tomosynthesis, possibly detects cancers that would Read More >>

Marty Stempniak | March 29, 2021 | Economics The Department of Justice is taking a closer look at UnitedHealth Group’s proposed acquisition of radiology vendor Change Healthcare amid provider concerns about the deal. Government officials requested further information from the two companies on their plans to combine on March 24, granting extra time beyond the Read More >>

Marty Stempniak | March 26, 2021 | Policy The U.S. Senate on Thursday approved legislation to avert upcoming Medicare payment cuts following pressure from radiologists and other providers. Lawmakers approved the bill in a 90-2 vote, preventing some $12.3 billion in reimbursement reductions for doctors, hospitals and nursing homes over the next nine months. The Read More >>

Marty Stempniak | March 01, 2021 | Economics Radiology practices must master the delivery and interpretation of cardiac CT and MRI as demand for such studies explodes, according to new research published Thursday.   Magnetic resonance imaging of the heart among Medicare beneficiaries leapt 75.5% between 2012-2017, while cardiovascular computed tomography increased 97.4%, St. Francis Hospital Read More >>

February 25, 2021 — Researchers are warning that the COVID-19 vaccine can manifest on imaging in ways that appear to be disease, according to two studies published February 24 in the American Journal of Roentgenology and Radiology. As more people get vaccinated for COVID-19, radiologists must be familiar with how the vaccine may affect imaging Read More >>

Following the implementation of social distancing measures last year, no shows for imaging appointments surged by 55%, according to a new analysis published Friday in Clinical Imaging.   That’s alongside a roughly 85% drop in total outpatient imaging volume during the same timeframe at Mount Sinai Health System in New York City. No-show rates have normalized Read More >>

For the first time ever, female breast cancer has surpassed lung as the most commonly diagnosed form of the disease across the globe, experts announced on Thursday.  Clinicians diagnosed roughly 19.3 million new cancer cases worldwide last year alone, with 10 million deaths. Female breast cancer led the way in diagnoses with 2.3 million new Read More >>