The American College of Radiology (ACR) has launched a health policy institute that will examine the effects of medical imaging on healthcare quantity, delivery, and cost.
The Harvey L. Neiman Health Policy Institute will examine the role of radiology in new healthcare delivery and payment models, particularly quality-based approaches to radiology and the effect of medical imaging on overall healthcare costs, the organization said. The institute is named after radiologist and longtime ACR chief executive Dr. Harvey Neiman.
In announcing the new institute, ACR said that imaging utilization data being used by policymakers are out of date and do not reflect current usage patterns. Imaging use in Medicare is down since 2008, and Medicare spending on scans is the same as it was in 2003; however, policymakers continue to use obsolete data, ACR said.
The institute will examine how medical imaging can best be implemented in value-conscious healthcare delivery models, according to Dr. Richard Duszak Jr., chief executive of the institute. It will also study the optimal role for radiologists in ensuring the quality, safety, and efficiency of radiology exams while optimizing patient access.
