A new study found increased CT use for suspected urolithiasis patients in emergency departments, with utilization rates increasing by 100.8% between 2006 and 2014. Geographic variation was also noted, with CT scans being more frequent in higher-income ZIP codes and urban hospitals.
A new study published in the Journal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology found significant growth in hemodialysis conduit angiography utilization, increasing by 1700% nationally from 2001 to 2015. This trend was particularly pronounced among nephrologists, with a 24.0% increase in procedures performed annually in office settings.
National IVC filter utilization declined by 36.3% in the Medicare population between 2009 and 2015, with varying rates across states. The privately insured population saw a 26.6% decline in IVC filter utilization over the same period.
A new study explores an episodic bundled payment model for breast cancer screening reflecting the widespread adoption of DBT. The analysis found that non-DBT approaches to bundled payment models remain viable, but higher DBT-inclusive prices highlight the need to explore societal costs more broadly.
A new study published in Preventive Medicine found that annual wellness visits significantly increase the delivery of preventive services among the elderly population. The research revealed that participants with an AWV were more likely to undergo screenings for prostate cancer, influenza vaccine, and other recommended services.
A study by Harvey L. Neiman Health Policy Institute found that states with legislation requiring notification of patients about breast density issues saw a significant increase in the use of ultrasound imaging after mammography, suggesting improved cancer detection rates.
The study found a significant increase in secondary imaging interpretations across various modalities and body regions, driven by high-volume service families. Denial rates for these services were uniformly low, below 25%, contradicting conventional wisdom.
IVC filter placement and retrieval procedures declined over the last decade, with a notable shift towards radiologists and cardiologists performing placements in hospital outpatient settings. Retrieval rates increased but remained less than 15% across all specialties.
A recent study found that follow-up imaging is significantly less when initial emergency department (ED) ultrasound examinations are interpreted by a radiologist rather than a nonradiologist. Radiologists interpret the vast majority of ED ultrasounds, with 81.6% of cases handled by them and 36,788 cases handled by nonradiologists.
A new study found a substantial increase in CVI procedures in the Medicare population between 2005 and 2014. Cardiology saw the most rapid growth in market share, while vascular surgeons and other specialists also increased their services.
A new study validates a novel classification system for identifying academic radiologists' subspecialties using Medicare claims data. The system correctly classified 90% of radiologists and has potential to improve value-based payment models.
Researchers found that ED patients with ultrasounds interpreted by nonradiologists underwent more follow-up imaging studies, with a mean increase of 1.08, 1.22, and 1.34 procedures within seven, fourteen, and thirty days respectively.
Most US radiologists receive favorable satisfaction scores from their patients, according to a new study published in the American Journal of Roentgenology. The study analyzed over 1,800 reviews and found that patients tend to have either strongly positive or strongly negative opinions about their radiologists.
Recent years have seen a substantial increase in articles within radiology journals addressing patient-centered care, with only a limited number of journals publishing multiple original research articles. The study identified four journals that had published more than one original research article on the topic.
The reports found that CMS' proposed criteria for special considerations would result in many radiologists being evaluated using measures not reflective of their practice. Alternative criteria could help ensure fair opportunities for success in performance review under MIPS.
New research from the Harvey L. Neiman Health Policy Institute finds that state tort reforms are associated with a decrease in physician ordering of radiographs. The study examined the impact of liability pressure on overall imaging use and found that indirect tort reforms have a stronger effect on radiography orders than direct reforms.
A new study using national patient ratings website data found that most US radiologists receive favorable satisfaction scores from their patients. The study also showed that radiologists in the Northeast scored lower than those elsewhere, and online reviews tend to be strongly positive or negative.
A study by the Harvey L. Neiman Health Policy Institute found a decline in new enteral access procedures for Medicare patients over the past two decades. Meanwhile, maintenance services increased, with radiologists and emergency physicians surpassing gastroenterologists and surgeons as leading providers.
A new report by the Harvey L. Neiman Health Policy Institute proposes a bundled payment model for breast cancer screening, which could help reduce healthcare costs and improve patient adherence to screening guidelines. The model includes mammography and downstream diagnostic imaging services within a 364-day episode window.
The study found significant growth in CTA exams per 1,000 Medicare enrollees, increasing from 2.1 in 2001 to 47.6 in 2013, with chest CTA utilization rising the most. CTA services grew most rapidly in ED settings, with the percentage of studies performed annually in EDs increasing from 11% in 2001 to 28% in 2014.
The new report explores how radiologists can succeed in the new payment landscape under MACRA. It provides a historical context for payment reform and describes the recent MACRA legislation, its impacts on payment, and organizations influencing its evolution.