Dear Imaging Leaders Insider,
Back in 2006, the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) put its multiple procedure payment reduction (MPPR) initiative into action, instituting a 25% reduction in payments for the technical component of advanced diagnostic imaging of contiguous body parts performed on the same patient on the same day -- a policy the agency later expanded to include the professional component.
But last year, CMS reduced the cut to 5%. The change was good news for radiology, which some have estimated stands to recoup up to $64 million in payments per year. In this month's Imaging Leaders Insider, we're highlighting research from Johns Hopkins that explored how this policy change improves radiology's bottom line. The study finds that rescinding the cut is proving especially beneficial for CT-heavy studies. Read more in the Insider Exclusive.
When you've read our featured article, take a look at what else is going on in our Imaging Leaders Community:
- Read what Tennessee researchers say radiology can learn from that state's tort reform.
- It's official: Radiologists have made the list of highest-paid physicians, with a total median salary of $368,000.
- Discover five keys to better radiologist recruiting and hiring.
- How are radiology administrators and business managers feeling about the future? Check out the latest Medical Imaging Confidence Index (MICI) data to find out.
- Is Twitter a good source of mammography information? Perhaps not, according to Greek researchers.
- Learn why some think standardized testing has ruined radiology's board exam.
As always, if you have a comment or report to share about any aspect of diagnostic imaging practice, management, administration, regulation, or financing, I invite you to contact me.
