The affordable care act has been met with both favorable and
not so favorable reviews. One interesting thing to question is what the
affordable care act may mean for Radiology on an academic level. We know about
the tax on medical devices but that’s a different story altogether.
Academic radiology departments are looking at possibly
taking new approaches in terms of what’s a necessity for lower volume and
higher quality. Some of the newer approaches are the following:
- Appropriate utilization: Academic radiology departments can provide support to referring physicians for determining when imaging is appropriate.
- Radiation dose control: ACA will probably increase the volume of imaging orders, and radiologists will need to know which tests to use at the most efficient radiation dose.
- Reimbursement changes: Although the current fee-for-service model will continue in some form under ACA, new payment models such as bundled payments and pay for performance are gaining ground.
- Medical informatics: ACA will spark increased use of imaging informatics to track quality, safety, productivity, scheduling, billing, and feedback from patients and referring physicians.
- Accountable care organizations (ACOs): As ACA is implemented; these groups will play a key role in the effort to curb inappropriate imaging.
This approach from Academic Radiology will
certainly help a great deal in part because of the following reasons:
- Radiation control, as radiation is controlled there is less concern of over exposure and far more focus on quality imaging.
- Pay for performance actually increases the level of pressure on Radiologists to perform with the utmost care and attention to detail.
- With ACOs curbing the inappropriate use of imaging there is likely to be so many complaints about so many bills and such little results.
Hopefully these improvements will mean that
the patient will properly benefit and be protected from overexposure. While
it’s difficult to say if these implications are long term or short term, it’s
good to hope for something that will give patients the best service possible.
If you have any questions about diagnostic imaging procedures
please feel free to give us a call. Our dedicated team of imaging experts here
at Clermont Radiology looks forward to answering all your questions. We here at
Clermont Radiology pride ourselves in providing our patients the best quality
imaging with a focus on satisfaction and results.
Charla
Hurst
General Operations
Manager
