Sara Michael

Researchers at the International Imaging Industry Association (I3A) examined potential damage to imaging materials entering the country as cargo, which is being screened by high-energy X-ray equipment. Indeed, one kind of X-ray machine is likely to cause damage to medical imaging films, according to the group.

As nationwide utilization of computed tomographic colonography (CTC) has increased, regional payment denial rates vary widely, according to a new study in the April issue of the Journal of the American College of Radiology. This is the second study in recent weeks to examine the rise of CTC.

As the devastation following the earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear disaster in Japan continue to unfold, radiologists in the U.S. are lending their expertise and assistance.

Imagine a faster, inexpensive method for breast cancer screening. That’s some of the promise behind a new innovation from doctoral student, Sevan Goenezen, who has discovered a way to use ultrasound and advanced algorithms to differentiate between benign and malignant tumors.

The Texas legislature is considering a bill aimed at reining in costs of diagnostic imaging and ensuring patient safety. Among the provisions of HB 1809 is a requirement that an imaging facility be accredited and the technician registered.

Should radiologists immediately deliver the exam results? Are there certain situations where it is more appropriate to do so, and what about the time required to consult with the patient about the result?

The rise of electronic health records can facilitate the use of decision support systems when ordering and selecting imaging tests. Also, should these tools be mandated?

Breast imaging has gone 3-D. The FDA announced today the approval of Hologic Inc.’s Selenia Dimensions System, the first X-ray mammography device that provides 3-D images for breast cancer screening and diagnosis.

The volume of advanced imaging services for Medicare patients dipped for the first time in 11 years - a trend advocates say could point to patient access issues and lead to higher costs.

It was a long regulatory road for the software developers, but the FDA this week finally cleared the first mobile app for diagnostic radiology. The app, developed by Cleveland-based MIM Software Inc., received 510(k) clearance, becoming the first approved for viewing images and making medical diagnoses based on CT, MRI, and nuclear medical technology.

In a new guideline, the American College of Physicians said there was strong evidence that routine X-ray, CT scan, or MRI for low back pain doesn’t improve patients’ health. Instead, those tests should be given only to patients with severe or progressive neurological deficits, who are suspected of having a serious or specific condition, or who are candidates for invasive interventions.

The first incentive checks are being delivered under CMS’s meaningful use program for electronic health records. But for many radiologists, the program is just now coming into focus. Here's what you should be doing now.

Maryland’s highest court ruled to uphold the state’s self-referral law - a major win for radiology professionals.

GE Healthcare announced recently that the FDA has approved the first imaging agent to help physicians in evaluating neurodegenerative movement disorders.

The FDA this week outlined a plan to improve the path to market for medical devices, including streamlining the review for low-risk devices and clarifying when clinical data should be submitted. The agency is deferring some of the contentious decisions, giving the Institute of Medicine a chance to provide feedback on seven recommendations.

CMS has plans to implement changes to Medicare’s Provider Enrollment, Chain and Ownership Systems (PECOS), which is used to enroll physicians into Medicare. Under the impending changes, CMS will deny claims for services ordered or referred by a physician who doesn’t have a PECOS file. That, of course, means no payment.

It’s a question practices should be asking in the wake of the news that a server containing personal patient and billing information was breached at a radiology practice in Rochester, N.H. It’s the latest security breach made public under the HITECH Act’s security breach notification rules.

Nonradiologists are now paid more by Medicare than radiologists for non-invasive medical imaging, according to a new study that highlights concerns about self-referrals.

Starting January 1st, referring physicians who provide in-office imaging services must provide their patients with a list of other options in their area. It’s probably a good time to make sure your practice is on that list.

Self-referral of imaging services by non-radiologists doesn’t necessarily benefit patients, and can lead to overuse and increased spending. Those are the conclusions of a series of studies published this week in the December issue of Health Affairs.

Doctors’ groups, including the AMA and several specialty organizations, have lobbied aggressively to ensure that healthcare providers were not included under the law. The efforts, it turns out, were successful.