Echocardiographers Face Higher Radiation Exposure during Certain Cardiac Procedures

Echocardiographers Face Higher Radiation Exposure during Certain Cardiac Procedures

    Researchers recently revealed in a study published in JAMA Network Open that echocardiographers experience significantly higher exposure to radiation than interventional cardiologists. A research team at a Michigan hospital system measured head-level radiation levels for echocardiographers performing particular procedures, which necessitated them to stand near the radiation source and the patient. Echocardiographers assist…

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Cryoablation and its Effects on Cancer Pain

Cryoablation and its Effects on Cancer Pain

An underappreciated use of cryoablation is increasing — pain management in cancer patients. A 2021 study released by the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) confirms that cryoablation is a safe, effective treatment of pain caused by metastatic bone tumors. An article by J. David Prologo, an interventional radiologist at Emory Healthcare in Atlanta, published…

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Protect Future Reimbursement by Using Correct Specialty Designator for IR

Protect Reimbursement Intervention Radiology Doctor holding x-ray image of chest

Protect your future reimbursement intervention radiology. Despite interventional radiology (IR) having its own specialty code in the Medicare Provider Enrollment, Chain and Ownership System (PECOS), the Society for Interventional Radiology (SIR) maintains that many IR groups are continuing to use code 30. Code 30 is the diagnostic radiology identifier code. In PECOS, the specialty code…

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Congressional Committee Investigates Private Equity Firms Over Surprise Medical Bills

Frank Joseph Pallone

Image courtesy of  The Hill Congress has been looking for a culprit behind the current controversy over surprise medical billing. For the time being, radiologists are off the hook. Energy and Commerce Chair Frank Pallone (D-N.J.) and ranking member Greg Walden (R-Ore.) have targeted private equity firms invested in emergency transportation and doctor staffing companies.…

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CMS Releases Final 2023 Physician Fee Reimbursements

CMS Releases Final 2023 Physician Fee Reimbursements

Despite the input of healthcare facilities, physicians, and health-related associations and societies, the CMS Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) for 2023 will see a reduction in the face of the highest inflation rates in 40 years. The CMS conversion factor falls to $33.0067 in 2023 — down from $34.6062 in 2022 — resulting in approximately…

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