- CMS Releases 2010 HOPPS Proposed Rule
ACR Daily News Scan
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released the review copy of the 2010 Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System (HOPPS) proposed rule on July 1, 2009. The American College of Radiology (ACR) will be submitting comments to CMS addressing issues of concern by the deadline of August 31, 2009. Following are the highlights of the proposed rule. - CMS Releases 2010 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Rule
ACR Daily News Scan
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released the review copy of the 2010 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MFS) proposed rule on July 1, 2009. The American College of Radiology (ACR) will be submitting comments to CMS addressing issues of concern by the deadline of August 31, 2009.
- Rep. Speier Introduces Legislation to Close Stark Law In-Office Loophole
ACR News Release
Rep. Jackie Speier (D-California) recently introduced HR 2962, the Integrity in Medicare Advanced Diagnostic Imaging Act of 2009. The bill would amend Title XVIII of the Social Security Act to exclude certain advanced diagnostic imaging services from the in-office ancillary services exception to the “Stark laws” prohibition on physician self-referral. - ACR and ARRS Unite: The Beginning of a New History for Radiology
ACR Daily News Scan
Today, the American College of Radiology (ACR) and the American Roentgen Ray Society (ARRS) unite with a strategic integration merger. But what does the merger mean for you? - CMS Proposes to Lift the National Coverage Restriction on MRI for Blood Flow Determination
ACR Daily News Scan
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently announced a proposal to remove a national coverage determination to not cover MRI for blood flow measurement and instead allow local Medicare carriers to make coverage determinations at their discretion. - ACR Launches Cardiac CT Certificate of Advanced Proficiency Exam
ACR Daily News Scan
On Sept. 9, 2009, the American College of Radiology will offer the inaugural Cardiac CT Certificate of Advanced Proficiency Examination open to all physicians who meet the requisite eligibility requirements and professional experience qualifications.
- The Latest From Washington on the Health Care Reform Proposal
ACR Daily News Scan
The following is an update of the status of health care reform proposals in both the Senate and House and an outlook on the likely timing and ultimate effective date of health care reform.
- ACR Members Urge House Rural Caucus Against Use of RBMs in Medicare and Change in Equipment Utilization Rate at Capitol Hill Briefing
ACR Daily News Scan
ACR members Cassandra Foens, M.D., James P. Borgstede, M.D., and Michael M. Graham, M.D., Ph.D., urged members of the U.S. House of Representatives Rural Caucus against using radiology benefits managers in the Medicare system and against a proposed imaging equipment utilization rate change from 50 percent to 95 percent at a June 24 Capitol Hill briefing. - ACR and North Dakota Department of Health to Distribute Free High-Tech Mammography Education Tool to ND Radiologists
ACR Daily News Scan
The American College of Radiology and the North Dakota Department of Health have partnered to distribute 70 copies of the College’s Mammography Case Review (MCR4) educational CD-ROM free of charge to radiologists in the 43 ACR-accredited mammography facilities throughout North Dakota.
- Image Gently Campaign Named to Associations Advance America Honor Roll
ACR Daily News Scan
The Alliance for Radiation Safety in Pediatric Imaging has been named to the 2009 Associations Advance America Honor Roll in recognition of its Image Gently campaign. The award, sponsored by the American Society of Association Executives, recognizes the ways nonprofit associations improve the quality of life in America.
- ACR Education Center Celebrates One Year Anniversary
ACR Daily News Scan
On June 20, 2009, the American College of Radiology Education Center, “radiology’s classroom of the future,” marked the completion of a tremendous first year of operation. During the first 12 months, the state-of-the-art Center enabled more than 800 physicians to experience hands-on training, with individual workstations, using the imaging software of their choice. - CMS Announces Qualified Registries for 2009
ACR Daily News Scan
CMS has announced the list of qualified registries for 2009 Physician Quality Reporting Initiative reporting. Each of these registries has gone through a thorough vetting process to check their capability to provide the required PQRI data elements, ensure correct calculation of reporting and performance rates, and complete transmission of the required information in the requested file format. - AMIC Unveils RightScanRightTime.org
The Access to Medical Imaging Coalition (AMIC) has launched RightScanRightTime.org, a new Web platform that encourages patients and physicians to share imaging stories with policymakers. The Web site has a strong educational component with information explaining the different types of medical imaging technologies, how they work and the images they produce. - Today on the ACR Blog: Is Radiology Recession-Proof?
As more Americans are feeling the effects of the economy, it should come as no surprise that people are opting out of health care due to costs; but a recent study found that less people have opted out of imaging than other forms of care. Has your practice or hospital experienced any effects from the economy?
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- Study: Conflicts of Interest Common in Cancer Research
Reuters Health
A "substantial minority" of cancer treatment studies published in major medical journals involve conflicts of interest, according to a new report in the journal Cancer. - Ultrasound Adds No Value to Cervical Cerclage Decision-Making
Reuters Health
Cervical ultrasound to determine the need for cervical cerclage does not improve outcomes over those obtained with history-indicated placement, according to a report in the June American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology.
- Obstructive Coronary Artery Lesions Possible Without Calcification
Reuters Health
Patients may develop obstructive coronary artery lesions in the absence of coronary calcification, according to a report in the July Heart. - Similar MS Outcomes With Glatiramer Acetate and Interferon Beta 1b
Reuters Health
Glatiramer acetate and interferon beta 1b (IFNbeta-1b) have similar clinical and MRI benefits for patients with relapsing multiple sclerosis (MS), according to a report in the June 9th Neurology. - Post-Stroke CT Can Identify a Cardiac Source of Embolism
Reuters Health
Two-phase 64-slice computed tomographic (CT) angiography appears to be a promising means for identifying a cardiac source of embolism in stroke patients, Korean researchers report in the June issue of Stroke. - Aneurysm Screening Saves Lives, But Cost-Effective?
Reuters Health
The results of a UK study suggest that screening older men for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) provides a lasting survival benefit and becomes cost-effective over time. However, in a Danish study, screening for AAA in older men did not seem to be cost-effective. - Declines in U.S. Breast Cancer Rates Not Uniform
Reuters Health
Between 2001 and 2004, new cases of breast cancer declined more than 8 percent in the United States. However, new research suggests that the decline was significantly less pronounced among poor women and among women living in rural areas. - Canada Still Unsure on Isotope Reactor Repair Plan
Reuters Health
Repair crews are still trying to determine how to fix an aging Canadian nuclear reactor that produces a third of the world's medical isotope supply, officials said on Wednesday. - Endoscopic Ultrasound May Miss Gallbladder Cancer
Reuters Health
Endoscopic ultrasonography is unable to distinguish neoplastic from non-neoplastic small gallbladder polyps, according to Korean researchers. - Partial Irradiation Is Cost Effective in Breast Cancer
Reuters Health
Accelerated partial-breast irradiation (PBI) appears to be a particularly cost-effective treatment for certain patients with early-stage breast cancer. - Contrast-Induced Nephropathy Doubles Risk of Long-Term Adverse Events
Reuters Health
Acute kidney injury induced by contrast medium exposure increases the risk of serious adverse events (AEs) during the following year, prospective study findings indicate.
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