Neiman Institute Launches Claims-Based Imaging Health Services Research Tool

Washington, DC — A new free resource allows researchers to use Medicare and other payer claims databases to identify and meaningfully characterize medical imaging by noninvasive or invasive procedures, modality, body region and clinical focus. Developed by the Harvey L. Neiman Health Policy Institute(TM), the Neiman Imaging Types of Service (NITOS) coding platform is an open source classification system, allowing users to readily extract utilization and cost data to examine the role and value of medical imaging. “As medical imaging becomes increasingly subspecialized, a robust, openly available classification system is necessary to better support researchers and policymakers in their efforts. Good data, along with this standardized coding system, will help in further demonstrating the role and value of imaging,” noted Richard Duszak, MD, FACR, chief medical officer and senior research fellow. “The NITOS coding system addresses current gaps and inaccuracies and augments existing systems for imaging-focused initiatives,” he added. NITOS was developed by Duszak and Andrew Rosenkrantz, MD, MPA, affiliate research fellow, who both have experience in Medicare claims-based health services research. They reviewed and classified radiologist-billed Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) codes from recent years. The common lexicon applies a hierarchical structure for coding diagnostic imaging professional services. “NITOS allo...
Source: American College of Radiology - Category: Radiology Source Type: news