Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) may be in for a big 2026 thanks to growing interest and a recent measure implemented by the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).
In this first episode of the Ultrasound MinnieCast, Richard Barr, MD, discusses current and potential applications for CEUS. This includes a growing interest in the modality as research continues to show its high safety profile and ability to detect and characterize abnormal findings. He also outlines CEUS' advantages over other imaging modalities and the use of microbubbles instead of iodine- or gadolinium-based contrast agents.
Barr is a radiologist at Northeast Ohio Medical University in Rootstown and serves as an officer for the International Contrast Ultrasound Society (ICUS).
Barr also talks about how practices could benefit from a cost standpoint, with the CMS in December announcing that it will double reimbursement for certain noncardiac CEUS exams, effective January 1. With this, reimbursement has risen from $170.02 to $358.35.
Finally, Barr shares ICUS' goals for 2026, including paving the way for whole-body imaging with CEUS.
