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Mammography Regulation and Reimbursement Report

Issue 12, December 1, 2009 - VIEW THE FULL ISSUE

• JACR study: RIS improves mammography productivity substantially

  Just having the software isn’t enough to ensure similar gains. You truly have to use it to...

• Tips for maximizing productivity with your RIS

  If your organization is thinking about investing in a RIS, there are three important questions you...

• Mammography: Helpful or a road to overtreatment?

  The article’s authors, led by Laura Esserman, MD, MBA, say that although mammography...

• Update: UNC breach makes organizations wary

  Wake Radiology was one of 35 other North ¬Carolina–based radiology groups participating...

Issue 11, November 1, 2009 - VIEW THE FULL ISSUE

• Radiologists reluctant to tell patients when they make errors

  Ultimately, being honest with patients results in more than just a clear conscience. How a patient...

• Automated whole breast ultrasound boosts cancer detection in dense breast tissue

  Breast cancer detection doubled from 23 to 46 in 6,425 studies using AWBU with mammography. This...

• UNC database breach offers lessons for your organization

  The case illustrates the importance of complying with HIPAA regulations and ensuring the security...

• FDA adverse event and action report highlights fraud, quality control problems

  The report includes four adverse events that took place between January and June. The report is...

Issue 10, October 1, 2009 - VIEW THE FULL ISSUE

• Boost negotiating power with simple tips

  Negotiations raise two questions: Do you drive a hard bargain? Or do you typically slink away from...

• Review questions the value of MRI in early-stage breast cancer

  When a physician diagnoses a woman with breast cancer, often the next step is an MRI of the breast...

• Digital breast tomosynthesis has the potential to reduce recalls

  Using digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) in addition to full-field digital mammography (FFDM...

• New HIPAA regulations: Protect your PHI or face new penalties: HHS releases interim final rule on breach notification

  Is protected health information (PHI) truly protected at your facility? You’ll need to find...

Issue 9, September 1, 2009 - VIEW THE FULL ISSUE

• Red Flags Rule delayed until November 1

  The FTC said it expects to release additional compliance guidance to help businesses understand...

• Avoiding pitfalls when outsourcing your billing

  For many radiology practices, it makes sense to outsource billing because these physicians...

• Tips and tricks

  Excerpted passages from the white paper What Every Radiologist Should Know About Medical Billing by...

• Better image contrast improves digital cancer detection in dense breasts

  Study authors performed an analysis of data from the DMIST, which was released in 2005. That study...

• Going digital may boost your cancer detection rate

  Vernacchia suspects the increase was largely due to digital mammography’s increased ability...

• Stay out of hot water with the FDA

  Warning letter #1 The first warning letter was issued to Eureka Springs (AK) Hospital May 6. The...

Issue 8, August 1, 2009 - VIEW THE FULL ISSUE

• 17 ways to save the environment (and money)

  Going green can earn you more than good karma, it can also boost your facility’s bottom line.

• Long crusade of breast cancer survivor pays dividends

  On October 1, mammography facilities in Connecticut will need to include some new information on a...

• Catch the eye of your radiologists by using charts instead of text-filled tables to deliver audit data

  If you want to make your radiologists sit up and take notice of your facility’s audit data...

• Case study: Working with your insurers to improve care

  In many areas across the nation, mammography facilities have seen women putting off annual...

Issue 7, July 1, 2009 - VIEW THE FULL ISSUE

• Case study: Providing genetic testing and counseling for those who might not have access

  Genetic testing and counseling are in high demand. However, although many patients would benefit...

• Creating a solid genetic testing and counseling program requires training

  Genetic counseling and testing can provide crucial information to patients.

• Study shows 3T MRI beats mammography and sonography in detecting cancers

  A study published in the April American Journal of Roentgenology shows that 3T MRI, which has a...

• National Mammography Database provides benchmarks

  Beginning in July, mammography facilities will have a new tool to help them compare their...

• Quick tip: Giving technologists an incentive to meet digital goals

  Technologists play a key role in digital productivity, and enlisting their help to boost efficiency...

• Ask the expert: More RTs than jobs in the current market

  For the past several years, most of the talk in the mammography world has been about shortages of...

Issue 6, June 1, 2009 - VIEW THE FULL ISSUE

• Case study: Compliance in action

  If your organization isn’t prepared for the Red Flags Rule, now is the time to get ready.

• Is mammography the lifesaver most women believe it to be?

  Most women who receive an annual mammogram do so because they think the test could save their...

• Mammography is starting to make dollars and cents

  Mammography has its strong suits, but its role as a moneymaker has never been one of them. That...

Issue 5, May 1, 2009 - VIEW THE FULL ISSUE

• HIPAA takes priority

  Facilities should begin to bolster their HIPAA policies and procedures and training programs in...

• More comprehensive breast centers, MRI, digital mammography on the rise

  Digital mammography is booming. Breast MRI and CAD are also growing at a rapid clip, and more...

• Increase screening compliance through education

  Training ordinary women as health educators and having them reach out to underserved Hispanic women...

• Regulators take action: Tips to avoid an MQSA citation

  Are you paying attention to the regulatory citations other mammography facilities face? If not, you...

Issue 4, April 1, 2009 - VIEW THE FULL ISSUE

• Mammography use drops in many states

  Mammography use dropped in most states between 2000 and 2006, but researchers still do not know why.

• Shortages loom in breast imaging personnel

  The breast imaging world will be significantly shortstaffed in the next 15–20 years if...

• ACR releases self-assessment and education tool

  Physicians in New York recently received a tool to help them assess their skill at reading...

• Radiologists’ mammography malpractice risk less than most physicians actually expect

  Providing radiologists with more information about legitimate malpractice risks could encourage...

• Signatures not required, but are good practice

  The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently clarified its position that...

Issue 3, March 1, 2009 - VIEW THE FULL ISSUE

• Lidocaine gel poses serious risks, FDA states

  The FDA issued a public health advisory in January warning facilities that patients who use topical...

• PEM: Is it right for your practice?

  When Advanced Breast Care Imaging in Allentown, PA, opened in October 2006, it had everything to...

• Study: Interpreting digital exams takes more time

  Radiologists take longer to interpret digital mammograms even after facilities take steps to...

• This year brings much of the same for coding and billing

  When it comes to radiology and breast imaging coding and billing for this year, expect a lot of the...

• Manage denials to weather economic storm

  In the average healthcare practice, 5%–7% of reimbursement claims are denied. In breast...

Issue 2, February 1, 2009 - VIEW THE FULL ISSUE

• Got digital artifacts? New study can help you eliminate them

  If you’re scratching your head trying to figure out where the artifacts on your digital...

• Be aware of software updates, but don’t install too quickly

  When digital vendors introduce new software, which happens almost annually, they’re often...

• Study: Stagger annual mammography and MRI screenings for high-risk women

  When the American Cancer Society (ACS) recommended in March 2007 that certain high-risk women...

• Focus on training during digital contract negotiations

  When New Jersey–based Booth Radiology got digital units at each of its three sites, it also...

• Jump-start your annual to-do list

  Although most hospital-based practices are probably breathing a sigh of relief that the Medicare...

Issue 1, January 1, 2009 - VIEW THE FULL ISSUE

• The angry patient: Avoid surefire ways to make your patients mad

  And if you’d really like to see patients get good and angry, talk down to them, says Clint...

• Get them talking

  Technologists are the eyes and ears for interpreting physicians, who might not see patients...

• Getting a grant: Tips and tricks for success

  If you thought about applying for a grant but balked at the daunting process, you’re not...

• Resolve to focus on quality in 2009

  It’s a new year, and although you’ve probably come up with some personal resolutions...