X-ray of a knee replacement. CMS may change reimbursements for joint and knee replacements. Patient Marilyn Fornell.

August 16, 2017 — The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced a proposed rule to reduce the number of mandatory geographic areas participating in the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation’s (Innovation Center) Comprehensive Care for Joint Replacement (CJR) model from 67 to 34. In addition, CMS proposes to allow CJR participants in the 33 remaining areas to participate on a voluntary basis. In this rule, CMS also proposes to make participation in the CJR model voluntary for all low-volume and rural hospitals in all of the CJR geographic areas.

The International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine (ISMRM) has provided new guidance in the use of contrast agents during MRI scans. Emerging research suggests gadolinium-based contrast agents, injected in a patient's veins to brighten tissues in MRI images, accumulate in the brain. More than 300 million doses of such drugs have been administered since their introduction in 1987.

DOSIsoft SA announced the official release, with CE marking, of ISOgray Treatment Planning System (TPS) release 4.3 for proton therapy with active scanning beams (pencil beam scanning). The milestone was achieved through close collaboration with Institut Curie - Protontherapy Center of Orsay (ICPO) in France.

ISOgray Treatment Planning System

A new study by the Harvey L. Neiman Health Policy Institute finds that patient condition complexity and subspecialization are primary factors affecting radiologist services list price variation. The researchers evaluated the 2014 Medicare Physician and Other Supplier Public Use File to identify submitted charges (“list prices”) and payments for radiologists’ services. The report is published online in the Journal of the American College of Radiology (JACR).

August 15, 2017 — Novarad Corp. has entered into agreement to provide picture archiving and communication system (PACS) and radiology information system (RIS) software to Texas-based Neighbors Emergency Center. Neighbors Emergency Center operates 35 emergency medical care centers throughout Texas, Colorado and Rhode Island.

Aug. 10, 2017 — The American College of Radiology (ACR) developed three new guidance documents and revised 32 others to advance the science of radiology and improve the quality of service to patients.

Read the updated version of this story with more details from CMS — "CMS to Cancel Mandatory Cardiac Bundled Payments and Joint Replacement Payment Model."

 

Aug. 14, 2017 — The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) may eliminate the cardiac rehabilitation incentive payments and orthopedic bundled payments that were planned to go into effect Jan. 1, 2018. 

Healthcare systems today are battling rising costs and uneven quality. At the core of each challenge is the fundamental need to deliver value — the best possible patient care at the lowest possible price. 

All around the world, regulatory requirements and market forces are driving a growing demand for higher-quality, more-effcient healthcare – supported by integrated IT systems that better serve the needs of every stakeholder. 

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