Dear AuntMinnie Member,
Think about it -- when was the last time you remember hearing about a new computer-aided detection (CAD) product getting approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)?
It's probably been a while, right? Well, there could be a reason for that. Many CAD market watchers believe that the FDA has put an informal moratorium on new CAD approvals while it debates changes to the way it regulates the technology.
That debate is heating up today as the FDA begins two days of hearings on the CAD regulatory approval process. As reported by contributing writer Cynthia Keen in our Advanced Visualization Digital Community, an FDA advisory committee is taking comments on what types of data should be required for regulatory submissions of CAD products for breast, lung, and virtual colonoscopy applications.
The hearing could have a major impact on how the FDA regulates CAD software -- but it could also clear up the logjam of stalled CAD applications. Read more about it by clicking here, or visit our Advanced Visualization Digital Community at av.auntminnie.com.
Playing politics with imaging
In other news, radiology has been on the losing end of a string of political battles, the most famous example of which is the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005. And more cuts may be in store as the U.S. government continues to look at ways to reduce healthcare expenditures -- in part by slicing imaging payments.
Part of the government's enthusiasm for cutting imaging reimbursement is due to a fundamental misunderstanding of how radiology fits into the overall healthcare picture, some Capitol Hill observers believe. Congressional lawmakers often see little difference in whether imaging is provided by radiologists, self-referring physicians, or corporate entities.
Learning to understand the nexus between reimbursement and politics is the subject of a new article in our Imaging Center Digital Community by staff writer Kate Madden Yee. The article details how the Congressional budgeting process takes place, the impact of federal decisions on third-party payors, and what imaging providers can do to plead their case. Read more by clicking here.
SalaryScan Survey draws to a close
Finally, only a few days remain for you to participate in our SalaryScan Survey of radiology benefits and compensation. Thousands of radiology professionals have already filled out our short survey -- what about you?
We'll use the survey results to update our SalaryScan tool, which enables you to compare your salary and benefits to those of your peers. In addition, we'll be giving Apple iPod nano music players to seven lucky AuntMinnie members who fill out the entire survey.
So what are you waiting for? Get started by clicking here.
