CMS Releases MACRA Final Rule
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issueda final rule regarding implementation of the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA). MACRA sets forth several major changes in Medicare payments, importantly, ending the Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) system requiring annual temporary fixes to prevent major reductions in health care provider reimbursement.
MACRA introduced a new Quality Payment Program (QPP) under which physician payments are linked to quality measures through two pathways– Merit-Based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) and Advanced Alternative Payment Models (APMs). MIPS re...
Source: American College of Radiology - October 14, 2016 Category: Radiology Source Type: news
Welch Et Al. Data in NEJM Reinforces That Mammography Detects Breast Cancers Earlier and Saves Lives
WASHINGTON, DC— The numerical data inWelch et al., published in the October 13New England Journal of Medicine, clearly show that mammography screening catches more cancers early and reduces the number of women with cancers of advanced size. Smaller cancers result in better outcomes for women. This not only helps save lives, but also allows more women to have their cancers treated with less extensive surgery, fewer mastectomies, and less frequent or aggressive chemotherapy.
The Welch et al. data do not support the authors’ conclusion that improved therapy is more key to breast cancer survival than mammography sc...
Source: American College of Radiology - October 12, 2016 Category: Radiology Source Type: news
CT Colonography Now Included in 2017 HEDIS Quality Measures: A Giant Step Forward for Patient-Centered Care
CT Colonography (known asvirtual colonoscopy) is now included in the 2017 Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS) quality measures for colorectal cancer screening. More than 90 percent of America's health plans measure quality based on HEDIS criteria. Health care providers, systems and plans can now receive quality credit when patients are screened via CT colonography.“HEDIS rates providers and systems on screening compliance. CT colonography is minimally invasive, does not require sedation and patients can go back to daily activities after the exam. This will attract more people to be screened, sav...
Source: American College of Radiology - October 4, 2016 Category: Radiology Source Type: news
New 2016 ACR Digital Mammography QC Manual Resources Webpage Available
TheACR Mammography Accreditation Program has launched a newDigital Mammography QC Manual Resources webpage with downloadable Excel Quality Control (QC) forms and Frequently Asked Questions. Read more information.
. (Source: American College of Radiology)
Source: American College of Radiology - October 4, 2016 Category: Radiology Source Type: news
Patients and Providers: Women at Risk of Losing Mammography Insurance Coverage
If Congress does not act, millions of women may lose insurance coverage for annual mammograms. Patient groups, minority health care advocates and breast cancer experts are urging Congress to extend a federal mandate that effectively requires insurers to fully cover annual screeningmammograms for women ages 40 and older.*“For many women, a loss of insurance coverage for mammography effectively denies them access to a tool that could save their lives. Congress can’t let this happen,” said Sarah Storey, president ofBright Pink.
"Black women have a higher incidence of breast cancer before age 40. They are als...
Source: American College of Radiology - October 3, 2016 Category: Radiology Source Type: news
Image Wisely Adds RSNA Dose Exhibit on Picking the Best Energy Level in CT Imaging
Image Wisely® posted the online radiation and patient dose exhibit,“Picking the Best Energy Level in CT Imaging: What the Radiologist Needs to Know.”
This presentation illustrates the limitations of using fixed tube voltage at 120kVp or 140kVp in CT imaging along with the advantages of using optimal photon energy [low kVp or dual energy CT (DECT) in CT imaging3] and demonstrates strategies of selecting the optimal photon energy based on patient size and clinical tasks.
Review the latest offering in a curatedseries of electronic education exhibits from Image Wisely. (Source: American College of Radiology)
Source: American College of Radiology - September 27, 2016 Category: Radiology Source Type: news
New Language Requirements for Radiology Facilities
Patients who have limited English proficiency (LEP) and/or disabilities have a legal right to obtain language assistance services under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Section 1557 of the ACA requires members to take“reasonable steps” to prevent discrimination against a patient’s disability or national origin by offering meaningful access to health care facilities, including freestanding and hospital-based radiology facilities.Beginning October 17, 2016, ACR members and their practices must fulfill this ACA mandate by posting Notices of Nondiscrimination and Taglines in their facilities or on their website...
Source: American College of Radiology - September 22, 2016 Category: Radiology Source Type: news
Showcase Your Radiology Research at ACR 2017
Key PointsAbstract submissionis open forACR 2017—The Crossroads of Radiology®; online submission closes Dec. 16. For the first time,select high-quality abstracts will be integrated into educational sessions, and cash awards will be given toGold Merit abstract winners.ACR 2017 will be held May 21–25, 2017, in Washington, DC.Washington, DC—Abstract submission is open forACR 2017—The Crossroads of Radiology®, giving radiologists the opportunity to showcase their latest findings to improve patient care, business practices and clinical skills. For the first time,select high-quality abstracts...
Source: American College of Radiology - September 20, 2016 Category: Radiology Source Type: news
ACR Supports Congressional Opposition to Medicare Lung Cancer Screening Cuts
The American College of Radiology applauds members of the House Ways and Means Committee for standing against planned cuts to Medicare reimbursement for low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) lung cancer screening. This exam is the first and onlycost-effective test proven to significantlyreduce lung cancer deaths.
In arecent letter to the Centers for Medicare& Medicaid Services (CMS), Reps. Jim Renacci (R-OH), Dr. Charles Boustany (R-LA), Richie Neal (D-MA) and Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ) expressed opposition to the drastic cuts included in the 2017 Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System (HOPPS) proposed rule.
The c...
Source: American College of Radiology - September 14, 2016 Category: Radiology Source Type: news
Improve Management Strategies at ACR-RBMA Practice Leaders Forum
Key PointsRegistration is open for theACR-RBMA Practice Leaders Forum, which provides practical management strategies for radiologists and medical imaging business managers to drive value through innovation, teamwork and quality care.The Practice Leaders Forum will be held Jan. 13–15, 2017, in Orlando, Fla.Reston, VA— Radiologists and medical imaging business managers will gain practical management skills to align their business operations with new health care models at theACR-RBMA Practice Leaders Forum.
Imaging practice and hospital executives (physician leaders, business managers and administrators) will gai...
Source: American College of Radiology - September 7, 2016 Category: Radiology Source Type: news
Patient and Provider Groups Urge Medicare Not to Undercut Lung Cancer Screening
Washington, DC— More than 80 patient advocacy groups, medical associations and health care systems are urging the Centers for Medicare& Medicaid Services (CMS) to abandon drastic low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) lung cancer screening reimbursement cuts in the 2017 Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System (HOPPS) proposed rule.
LDCT lung cancer screening is the first and onlycost-effective test proven to significantlyreducelung cancer deaths. Aletter spearheadedby Lung Cancer Alliance, the Prevent Cancer Foundation, The Society of Thoracic Surgeons, the American College of Radiology, Medical Imaging and T...
Source: American College of Radiology - September 6, 2016 Category: Radiology Source Type: news
VOR Blog: MACRA: Show and Tell (Me)
Ezequiel Silva III, MD, FACR, chair of the American College of Radiology (ACR)Commission on Economics, presentsavailable resources to help members make the transition to value-based care in theVoice of Radiology blog, MACRA: Show and Tell (Me).One upcoming event, provided by ACR in cooperation with the American Medical Association (AMA) and the Illinois Health& Hospital Association (IHA), will be held Sept 7 in Chicago. TheAMA’s STEPS Forward Practice Improvement Strategies: Clinical Decision Support for Imaging will give referring physicians and radiologists hands-on experience with new tools and training to hel...
Source: American College of Radiology - September 1, 2016 Category: Radiology Source Type: news
ACR Digital Mammography Quality Control Manual FAQs Updated
Earlier this year, theU.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved an alternative standard that will allow mammography facilities to use the new ACRDigital Mammography Quality Control Manual as an alternative to the quality assurance program recommended by the image receptor manufacturer beginning in 2017.
The manual was published on July 29, 2016, and distributed at no charge to all ACR-accredited mammography facilities during the week of August 1. The manual is alsoavailable for sale through the ACR education catalog. It is a digital publication in a PDF format, which may be printed or saved to a computer/mobile devi...
Source: American College of Radiology - August 30, 2016 Category: Radiology Source Type: news
ACR Unveils New Member Benefit: It ’s Time to Engage
Key PointsACR launches new member benefit calledEngage, a cloud-based private online community.Engage allows members to network with 37,000 radiology colleagues, exchange knowledge and share solutions.Engage access is tied to ACR membership.Reston, VA — WithEngage, a new member benefit,American College of Radiology (ACR) members gain a powerful resource to network with 37,000 radiology colleagues, exchange knowledge and share solutions.Engage, which automatically enrolls all ACR members today, is a cloud-based, private online community. Numerous communities have been identified for launch, including an open foru...
Source: American College of Radiology - August 23, 2016 Category: Radiology Source Type: news
Image Wisely Adds RSNA Dose Exhibit on Pregnancy Screening Criteria
Image Wisely® posted the online radiation and patient dose exhibit,“Oops, We Imaged a Pregnant Person: What Happens Next? This presentation reviews pregnancy screening criteria and situations where pregnancy can be missed; how to estimate risk to the fetus based on exam modality and anatomic region being imaged; and provides a framework for who needs to be notified, who communicates with the patient and what needs to be communicated to patient.
Review the latest offering in a curated series ofelectronic education exhibits from Image Wisely. (Source: American College of Radiology)
Source: American College of Radiology - August 23, 2016 Category: Radiology Source Type: news
