ACR Statement on VA Advanced Practice Nurses Proposed Rule
The American College of Radiology supports the Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) efforts to address the challenges that exist within its health system. However, the VA proposal to allow advanced practice nurses to practice independently of a physician’s clinical oversight, regardless of individual state law, could seriously undermine the quality of care that our nation’s heroes receive.
Veterans, and all Americans, deserve ready access to high-quality physician-led, patient-centered care, particularly in regard to medical imaging. Accurate diagnosis and treatment of disease and injury commonly de...
Source: American College of Radiology - June 3, 2016 Category: Radiology Source Type: news
ACR Appropriateness Criteria Release Expands With New, Updated Topics
Reston, VA — The American College of Radiology (ACR) released 8 new and 15 updated Appropriateness Criteria, which define national guidelines for the most appropriate medical imaging exam or radiation therapy. These continually updated criteria now include 215 topics with more than 1,080 clinical indications.
“ACR Appropriateness Criteria® enhance quality of care by helping health care providers choose the most appropriate medical imaging exam, radiologic interventional procedure or radiation therapy for the patient’s condition. Such criteria use in exam ordering can improve quality, reduce unneces...
Source: American College of Radiology - May 31, 2016 Category: Radiology Source Type: news
R-SCAN Advisor Featured in ABIMF Webinar Series
Marc Willis, DO, project lead for Radiology-TEACHES and a clinical advisor on R-SCANTM was featured recently in the American Board of Internal Medicine Foundation Teaching Value in Health Care (TVC) webinar series. TVC has an online community where medical educators interact on issues related to aligning medical education with the developing value-based care environment.
Click here to view the ABIMF webinar. (Source: American College of Radiology)
Source: American College of Radiology - May 27, 2016 Category: Radiology Source Type: news
FDA Approves Ultrasound Contrast Agent Lumason < sup > & reg; < /sup >
< p > On April 4, 2016, the Food and Drug Administration < a href="http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2016/203684s001lbl.pdf" target="_blank" > approved an ultrasound contrast agent known as Lumason < /a > . This agent is approved for use in ultrasonography of the liver for characterization of focal liver lesions in adult and pediatric patients. < /p > < p > Effective January 1, 2016, temporary Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) Level II code C9457 ( < a href="https://www.cms.gov/Outreach-and-Education/Medicare-Learning-Network-MLN/MLNMattersArticles/Downloads/MM9310.pdf" target="_blank" > L...
Source: American College of Radiology - May 27, 2016 Category: Radiology Source Type: news
FDA Approves Ultrasound Contrast Agent Lumason®
On April 4, 2016, the Food and Drug Administration approved an ultrasound contrast agent known as Lumason. This agent is approved for use in ultrasonography of the liver for characterization of focal liver lesions in adult and pediatric patients.
Effective January 1, 2016, temporary Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) Level II code C9457 (Lumason contrast agent) was replaced by a permanent HCPCS Level II code Q9950 (Injection, sulfur hexafluoride lipid microspheres, per ml).
Given that there are no dedicated ultrasound contrast codes, when a contrast-enhanced ultrasound study of the liver is performed using L...
Source: American College of Radiology - May 27, 2016 Category: Radiology Source Type: news
ACR Foundation Presents Global Humanitarian Awards
Washington, DC — The American College of Radiology Foundation (ACRF) presented its individual Global Humanitarian Award to Kristen DeStigter, MD, FACR, of Burlington, VT and Peter Dross, MD, of Wilmington, DE. The World Federation of Pediatric Imaging and Rotary Club of Park Ridge, Ill., earned the group award. The awards, honoring the individuals’ and groups’ positive global impact of radiology services, were announced at ACR 2016—The Crossroads of Radiology®, which is being held May 15–19 in Washington, DC.
“These individuals and organizations are dedicated to helping those in und...
Source: American College of Radiology - May 17, 2016 Category: Radiology Source Type: news
Brink Named Chair of American College of Radiology
Washington, DC — The American College of Radiology (ACR) Board of Chancellors has elected James A. Brink, MD, FACR, as its chair. Also elected were Geraldine McGinty, MD, MBA, FACR, who will serve as vice chair, and Howard B. Fleishon, MD, MMM, FACR, who will serve a second term as secretary-treasurer. The new officers took office at ACR 2016 — The Crossroads of Radiology®, the all-member annual meeting held in Washington, DC.
“A long-time advocate for radiology and high-quality patient care, James Brink has shown outstanding leadership in every ACR role in which he has served, most recently as vice ...
Source: American College of Radiology - May 17, 2016 Category: Radiology Source Type: news
American College of Radiology Recognizes Gold Medalists
Washington, DC — The American College of Radiology (ACR) presented its highest honor, the 2016 Gold Medal, to Walter J. Curran Jr., MD, FACR; Lawrence P. Davis, MD, FACR; and Charles D. Williams, MD, FACR, during ACR 2016—The Crossroads of Radiology® in Washington, DC. This award acknowledges distinguished and extraordinary service to the College or to the discipline of radiology.
“All three of the ACR honorees have provided visionary leadership and extraordinary service, which continue to advance high-quality patient care in the fields of radiology and radiation oncology,” said Bibb Allen Jr.,...
Source: American College of Radiology - May 16, 2016 Category: Radiology Source Type: news
Neiman HPI Tool Assists in Radiology Bundle Building
Washington, DC – The new ICE-T™ (Inpatient Cost Evaluation Tool) enables radiology practices and hospitals to compare internal costs to national benchmarks to decide if bundled payment for specific services should be pursued. This free resource is available on the Harvey L. Neiman Health Policy Institute website.
A bundled payment is a single payment that covers services delivered by two or more health providers during a single episode of care over a specified time. This payment method is a major component of health care reform to prompt the delivery of improved patient outcomes at lower costs.
“There a...
Source: American College of Radiology - May 4, 2016 Category: Radiology Source Type: news
ACR Education Center to Offer Breast Imaging Boot Camp in Saudi Arabia
Reston, VA — The American College of Radiology (ACR) is partnering with GE Healthcare and King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Center to bring the first-ever ACR-led imaging boot camp training for breast radiologists to the Middle East. The three-day Breast Imaging Boot Camp to be held May 23–25 in Jeddah will provide up to 40 practicing radiologists in Saudi Arabia and Middle East with intensive hands-on experience in mammography and breast ultrasonography.
“Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in the Middle East; it may occur earlier and it is often found at later stages than in ...
Source: American College of Radiology - May 3, 2016 Category: Radiology Source Type: news
CMS Releases MIPS/APM Proposed Rule
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has released the proposed rule to implement the Merit-Based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) and Alternative Payment Models (APMs) established by the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA).
Below are links to the CMS MIPS/APM issue fact sheet and Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) press release regarding the MIPS/APM proposed rule.
The American College of Radiology is reviewing the proposed rule and will provide a radiology-specific summary of the rule in the coming days. The College will also submit comments during the 60-day comment ...
Source: American College of Radiology - April 27, 2016 Category: Radiology Source Type: news
ACR Comments on Program Integrity Enhancements to the Provider Enrollment Process Proposed Rule
Read the ACR comment letter to CMS » (Source: American College of Radiology)
Source: American College of Radiology - April 26, 2016 Category: Radiology Source Type: news
FDA Update About Interference Between CT and Electronic Medical Devices
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) CT and Electronic Medical Devices website has been updated with new information for patients and health care providers about the three electronic medical devices that might be affected: insulin pumps, cardiac implantable electronic devices and neurostimulators. It notes that adverse events are rare and preventable and advises that the CT scans are a valuable diagnostic tool. (Source: American College of Radiology)
Source: American College of Radiology - April 15, 2016 Category: Radiology Source Type: news
ACR Pleased that AMA Breast Cancer Screening Position Recognizes Importance of Screening Beginning at Age 40
The American College of Radiology is pleased that the American Medical Association (AMA), in updating its policy on breast cancer screening exams, “recognizes the mortality reduction benefit of screening mammography and supports its use as a tool to detect breast cancer” and “believes that beginning at the age of 40 years, all women should be eligible for screening mammography.”
Every major medical organization with demonstrated expertise in breast cancer care including: American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, American Cancer Society, American College of Radiology, American Society o...
Source: American College of Radiology - April 14, 2016 Category: Radiology Source Type: news
USPSTF Refusal to Name CT Colonography a Recommended Screening Tool May Slow Colorectal Cancer Screening Progress and Increase Spending
Washington, DC (Oct. 6, 2015) -- U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) reliance on obsolete data to omit CT colonography (known as virtual colonoscopy) from the list of recommended exams in their latest draft colorectal cancer (CRC) screening recommendations may be a significant blow to efforts to raise colorectal cancer screening rates. This exclusion may result in countless unnecessary deaths and unnecessary health care spending. Under the Affordable Care Act, private insurers are only required to cover (with no copay) exams given a grade of “B” or higher. Medicare determines coverage separately. ...
Source: American College of Radiology - April 13, 2016 Category: Radiology Source Type: news
