Dear AuntMinnie.com Member,
Rheumatology has been a relatively peaceful area in the battle-scarred landscape of medical turf wars. But the arrival of in-office MRI systems designed specifically for extremity scanning could shatter the historically calm coexistence between radiologists and rheumatologists.
Or it might not. A number of factors could help ensure continued collaboration between radiologists and rheumatology practices operating their own MRI scanners. So says the latest article in our series on turf wars in radiology, now appearing in our MRI Digital Community at http://mri.auntminnie.com.
Rheumatology practices are installing MRI scanners to improve patient service and speed up report turnaround (although a few practitioners surely have financial motives). And while the incentive is there for rheumatologists to read and bill for their own studies, they would be best served by sending their images out to radiologists, according to several experts we talked to.
Keeping radiologists involved could provide a buffer against malpractice claims. Working alone, rheumatologists could also find it difficult to get insurance reimbursement for studies they acquire and read.
But, as the article points out, radiologists shouldn’t become complacent about referrals from practices with in-office MRI scanners. As always, good service and rapid report turnaround will be crucial for keeping referring physicians happy -- and for preventing the outbreak of yet another turf war. Read all about it here.
