Dear AuntMinnie Member,
Radiologists love to criticize physician self-referral. When nonradiologist physicians order scans for their patients on equipment they own or lease, imaging facilities lose business, healthcare costs go up, and some patients get unnecessary scans.
But some radiologists are complicit -- maybe even codependent -- in healthcare's addiction to self-referral, according to a new editorial opinion piece that we're featuring in our Imaging Center Digital Community.
In the article, an anonymous commentator -- let's call him Dr. Bill W. -- details how his practice got involved in physician self-referral by offering to read scans conducted on equipment owned by referring physicians. The arrangement is legal and has been highly profitable -- but is it right?
Read about Dr. Bill W.'s second thoughts on radiology's involvement in physician self-referral by clicking here. And when you're done, let us know what you think by posting your comments on the story in our Forums.
Imaging and the economic crisis
In the second article we're featuring, contributing writer Rick Dana Barlow takes a look at how the economic crisis is impacting the medical imaging industry. The story details how hospitals are putting the brakes on capital equipment spending, and the impact that the slowdown is having on imaging vendors.
Many companies have been taking action to help current and potential customers preserve access to capital. Some are providing funding to customers through joint ventures with financing firms, while others are offering alternative arrangements like leasing, tax-exempt private placements, and other deals. Find out how the economic climate could affect your purchasing plans by clicking here.
Madoff and radiology
While we're on the subject of financing, it turns out that there may be a radiology angle to the recent scandal involving disgraced financier Bernard Madoff. Find out what it is by clicking here, or visit the community at centers.auntminnie.com.
