Gregory N. Nicola, MD, FACR, ACR Council Steering Committee member, contributed this post.
Navigating the COVID-19 pandemic means navigating its profound effects on all of us, from our personal health to our medical practices, friends and family. While different regions around the country are facing their own unique challenges, we have seen one common trend — a serious reduction in imaging volume and revenue. Radiologists are sounding the alarm on the economic impact of this pandemic.
Over the course of the past few weeks, my practice and I have experienced drastic fiscal alterations forcing us to make difficult decisions affecting our families, employees and employee families. We hope these decisions have a short shelf life and allow us to support our work force near the level prior to COVID-19, yet the natural course of this tragedy is still uncertain.
This economic impact is also seen and felt by practices around the country. As such, the American College of Radiology® (ACR®) and the Radiology Advocacy Network are supporting us through countless advocacy-related efforts. The ACR has created a collection of COVID-19 radiology-specific resources which include clinical, economic and regulatory, state, well-being, and leadership updates.
Whether you’re in a small practice or on the front lines of a large health care system, the ACR is working tirelessly to safeguard the field of radiology throughout this pandemic and beyond. The ACR’s advocacy efforts have resulted in firsthand information on loan programs and other relief measures to help support practices and hospitals just like mine. Many practices have received relief fund payments from the Department of Health & Human Services, which may not have been otherwise possible. These relief funds provide us time, delaying further complex fiscal decisions all of our practices may need to make.
- How has COVID-19 affected your practice or hospital? What does your day-to-day look like now? Join the conversation with me! The Radiology Advocacy Network encourages you to share your COVID-19 story on social media. Post a video on Twitter or Facebook sharing your experience, and don’t forget to use #radvocacy and #myCOVID19story. Please share your thoughts in the comments section below, and join the discussion on Engage (login required).