Minority, Patient and Provider Groups Call on Congress to Pass Medicare Virtual Colonoscopy Coverage
Washington, DC — The National Medical Association has joined colorectal cancer care advocacy groups and the American College of Radiology (ACR) in calling on Congress to pass the CT Colonography Screening for Colorectal Cancer Act (H.R. 4632). Introduced in the House by Reps. Brad Wenstrup (R-OH) and Danny Davis (D-IL), H.R. 4632 would provide Medicare coverage for seniors who choose to be screened with a virtual colonoscopy (CT colonography). This would remove a financial barrier to care now widely covered by private insurance.
“Early screening for colorectal cancer saves lives. Unfortunately, too many Americ...
Source: American College of Radiology - March 2, 2016 Category: Radiology Source Type: news
CMS to Delete Procedure-to-Procedure Edit for 77295/77300
In response to a request from the American College of Radiology (ACR), American Society of Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) and American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM), the National Correct Coding Initiative (NCCI) will correct the procedure-to-procedure edit for column one CPT code 77295 (3-dimensional radiotherapy plan, including dose-volume Histograms) and column two CPT code 77300 (Basic radiation dosimetry calculation, central axis depth dose calculation, TDF, NSD, gap calculation, off axis factor, tissue inhomogeneity factors, calculation of nonionizing radiation surface and depth dose, as required during cou...
Source: American College of Radiology - March 2, 2016 Category: Radiology Source Type: news
CMS Clarifies Coding Instructions for Lung Cancer Screening of Current Smokers
In response to comments by the American College of Radiology (ACR) and others, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has modified its coding policies for low-dose CT lung cancer screenings of current smokers.
CMS set a July 5, 2016, implementation date for the addition of ICD-10 F17.2 (nicotine dependence) codes to the Medicare National Coverage Determination (NCD) 210.14 list of approved codes for low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) lung cancer screening.
In addition, the CMS Coverage and Analysis Group provided a specific clarification after learning from the ACR that some claims f...
Source: American College of Radiology - March 2, 2016 Category: Radiology Source Type: news
Patient Enrollment Opens for Largest Brain Amyloid Scanning Research Study
RESTON, VA, and CHICAGO – Participating dementia specialists may now enroll patients to participate in the Imaging Dementia—Evidence for Amyloid Scanning (IDEAS) Study at IDEAS-Study.org. Primary care and other doctors not taking part in the IDEAS Study are encouraged to refer eligible patients to participating physicians.
The IDEAS Study will follow more than 18,000 Medicare beneficiaries to determine the clinical value of a brain positron emission tomography (PET) scan to detect the hallmark brain amyloid accumulation of Alzheimer’s disease in diagnosing and managing treatment of patients age 65 and ol...
Source: American College of Radiology - March 2, 2016 Category: Radiology Source Type: news
ACR 2016: Optimize Practice Value and Patient Care
Discussions
From PQRS to MIPS: What You Need to Know About New Payment Models for Radiology
ACR’s annual all-member meeting will be held May 15–19 in Washington, DC. The keynote address is being given by Ezekiel J. (Zeke) Emanuel, MD, PhD, an architect of the Affordable Care Act and a leading practitioner shaping the future of health care. Special events include Capitol Hill Day, with exclusive meetings scheduled for members to bring the “Voice of Radiology” to elected officials; the Body MRI Boot Camp and the Economics Forum. Sessions are organized into nine Knowledge Pathways, wit...
Source: American College of Radiology - March 1, 2016 Category: Radiology Source Type: news
Outreach Committee Expands Radiology’s Reach in Patient-Centered Care
Discussions
Strategies in Imaging the Moving Child — Imaging 3.0
What We Can Learn From Our Customers: Perspectives From Three Non-Radiologists (and One Radiologist)
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About the American College of Radiology
The American College of Radiology (ACR), founded in 1924, is a professional medical society dedicated to serving patients and society by empowering radiology professionals to advance the practice, science and professions of radiological care. (Source: American College of Radiology)
Source: American College of Radiology - February 29, 2016 Category: Radiology Source Type: news
RadiologyInfo.org Draws Record Number of Visits, Launches New Section
OAK BROOK, Ill. – RadiologyInfo.org drew a record 11,536,845 visits in 2015. The website, co-produced by the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) and the American College of Radiology (ACR), helps consumers make more informed healthcare decisions by offering easy-to-understand descriptions of more than 200 imaging exams and treatments. These include the benefits versus risks of common procedures, what to expect during exams, how to prepare and more.
“We are excited that RadiologyInfo.org continues to broaden its reach,” said Ramji Rajendran, M.D., Ph.D., co-chair of the RSNA-ACR Public Informati...
Source: American College of Radiology - February 26, 2016 Category: Radiology Source Type: news
ACR Career Fair Debuts, Offers Opportunities to Land New Positions
Washington, DC — The first annual American College of Radiology (ACR) Career Fair will connect ACR 2016 attendees face to face with leading health care employers to discuss possible career opportunities. The Career Fair, free to jobseekers, will be held May 16–17 in Washington, DC. Space for employers is limited; online registration is now open.
“The Career Fair is a must-attend event for those seeking career advancement opportunities, professional development resources and access to top-tier health care systems,” noted Cheri Canon, MD, FACR, chair of the ACR 2016 Program Committee. “This ex...
Source: American College of Radiology - February 24, 2016 Category: Radiology Source Type: news
Economics Committee Provides Input on Integrating Patient Experience and Reimbursement
Discussions
Strategies in Imaging the Moving Child — Imaging 3.0
What We Can Learn From Our Customers: Perspectives From Three Non-Radiologists (and One Radiologist)
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About the American College of Radiology
The American College of Radiology (ACR), founded in 1924, is a professional medical society dedicated to serving patients and society by empowering radiology professionals to advance the practice, science and professions of radiological care. (Source: American College of Radiology)
Source: American College of Radiology - February 22, 2016 Category: Radiology Source Type: news
The Joint Commission Publishes New Requirements for CT Technologists
The Joint Commission has recently approved new requirements for accredited hospitals, critical access hospitals and ambulatory care organizations that provide diagnostic imaging services. (See The Joint Commission – New Requirements for Diagnostic Imaging Services) The new requirements include minimum qualifications for technologists who perform diagnostic computed tomography (CT) exams. Although the changes will become publicly available online and in print in July 2016; they will not go into effect until Sept. 1, 2016. (Source: American College of Radiology)
Source: American College of Radiology - February 19, 2016 Category: Radiology Source Type: news
Navigate Transition to Value-Based Care, Payment Models With ACR 2016 Quality and Safety Sessions
Washington, DC — ACR 2016® quality and safety sessions help radiology professionals enhance and strengthen their practices, providing specific strategies and tools to improve patient care and transition from volume- to value-based payment models.
“ACR 2016 quality and safety sessions focus on topics that patients care about, such as radiation dose optimization and methods to increase patient satisfaction,” said Cheri Canon, MD, FACR, chair of the ACR 2016 Program Committee. “Radiology professionals must adapt to new alternative payment models, and ACR 2016 sessions help attendees navigat...
Source: American College of Radiology - February 17, 2016 Category: Radiology Source Type: news
Informatics Committee Examines Technology Solutions to Support Patient-Centered Care
Discussions
Strategies in Imaging the Moving Child — Imaging 3.0
What We Can Learn From Our Customers: Perspectives From Three Non-Radiologists (and One Radiologist)
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About the American College of Radiology
The American College of Radiology (ACR), founded in 1924, is a professional medical society dedicated to serving patients and society by empowering radiology professionals to advance the practice, science and professions of radiological care. (Source: American College of Radiology)
Source: American College of Radiology - February 16, 2016 Category: Radiology Source Type: news
At ACR 2016, Gain Clinical Research Skills, Extend Benefits for Patients, Practices
Washington, DC — ACR 2016® clinical research sessions provide critical skills for radiology professionals to contribute to — and inform — new coverage decisions in value-based patient care.
“Medical imaging and radiation oncology research, which is crucial for the development of innovative treatment and diagnostics, will continue to influence the future of patient care,” said Cheri Canon, MD, FACR, chair of the ACR 2016 Program Committee. “While there’s uncertainty over new payment models and the compensation changes occurring for doctors and practice facilities, ra...
Source: American College of Radiology - February 10, 2016 Category: Radiology Source Type: news
Quality Experience Committee Encourages Two-Way Communication Between Radiologists, Patients
Discussions
Strategies in Imaging the Moving Child - Imaging 3.0
What We Can Learn From Our Customers: Perspectives From Three Non-Radiologists (and One Radiologist)
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About the American College of Radiology
The American College of Radiology (ACR), founded in 1924, is a professional medical society dedicated to serving patients and society by empowering radiology professionals to advance the practice, science and professions of radiological care. (Source: American College of Radiology)
Source: American College of Radiology - February 8, 2016 Category: Radiology Source Type: news
FDA Explains the Role of Mammography Facilities in Medical Device Reporting
Did you know that the Food and Drug Administration conducts post-market surveillance of medical devices, including mammography equipment? The Safe Medical Device Act of 1990 and the final Medical Device Reporting (MDR) rules published in 1995 imposed reporting requirements on the medical device industry, importers, and medical device user facilities, which includes mammography facilities. Continue reading » (Source: American College of Radiology)
Source: American College of Radiology - February 8, 2016 Category: Radiology Source Type: news
