Archive for February 2022
COVID-Delayed Screenings Increase Late-Stage Breast Cancer Diagnoses
The National Cancer Institute, in June 2020, expressed fears that declines in cancer screenings and delays in treatment due to the COVID-19 pandemic could contribute to an increase in rates of advanced cancer diagnoses and deaths through 2030. A recent study was led by Jade Zifei Zhou, MD, Ph.D., a hematology/oncology fellow at Moores Cancer…
Read MoreSome Congressional Members Call for Potential Fee Change for Radiologists
A bipartisan group of 61 members of Congress is calling for a review of a change in the Medicare fee schedule that impacts medical practices, including radiology, who will see ‘clinical labor’ cuts. Late last year and for the first time in almost 20 years, CMS updated its clinical labor rates that are used to…
Read MoreCMS Expands LDCT Screening for Lung Cancer
CMS announced on February 10 their final decision for coverage of low-dose CT lung cancer screenings. The new guidelines lower the screening age from 55 to 50 and reduce the smoking history pack years from 30 to 20. The decision expands eligibility for Medicare beneficiaries so that those from age 50 up to 77 and…
Read MoreLooking After Your Own Heart Health
By Lori Sedrak, D.O – Texas Radiology Associates February is Heart Awareness month. Let’s take a moment and have a serious talk. Let’s talk about Valentine’s Day and have a heart-to-heart talk about your heart health and how COVID-19 burnout impacts your health. Remember to love your heart before showering others with love on Valentine’s…
Read MoreWide Variation in Imaging Prices
Revenue — it’s all over the news right now — from the No Surprises Act to the Hospital Price Transparency rule. Pricing for some “shoppable” radiology services varies significantly from one facility to another. The Hospital Price Transparency rule went into effect on January 1, 2021. The rule requires hospitals to provide “clear, accessible pricing…
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