Understanding Appropriate Use Criteria in Nuclear Medicine
JUNE 2012 | There has been a significant increase in cardiac radionuclide
imaging over the past decade, leading to a corresponding increase
in scrutiny from Federal and private health plans questioning
the necessity of these tests. In response to efforts by
third-party payers to limit all types of cardiovascular imaging
studies, the American College of Cardiology Foundation, in conjunction
with other professional societies, developed appropriate
use criteria.
Source: Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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Countdown to MIPPA, continued: Who are the accreditors?
OCTOBER 2011 | It's coming: On January 1, 2012 -- less than three months from now — all healthcare providers who bill for the technical component of advanced imaging services must be accredited under 2008's Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act (MIPPA). But who are the accreditors? And what do they want from your imaging facility?
Source: AuntMinne.com
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Nuclear cardiology reports frequently omit key information
JULY 19, 2011 | Test result reports sent from nuclear cardiology facilities to requesting physicians frequently omit important information, including basics like the report date or clear quantification of the myocardial defect [1].
A retrospective study of 1301 US nuclear cardiology facilities applying for accreditation by the Intersocietal Commission for the Accreditation of Nuclear Medicine Laboratories (ICANL) found that 57% were noncompliant with at least one of 18 required reporting elements and site characteristics of ICANL standards in 2008. The results of the study, led by Dr Peter Tilkemeier (Miriam Hospital, Providence, RI), appear in the Journal of Nuclear Cardiology.
Source: TheHeart.org
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Nuke cards need to protect their practices
JULY 18, 2011 |
Nuclear cardiologists are increasingly forced to focus on practice
management considerations, in addition to improving the clinical outcomes of
their patients, during this time of uncertainty in the evolving U.S. healthcare
model. Thus, ensuring that their facilities are compliant and adhering to new
regulations and transparency expectations are increasing in importance; yet,
some U.S. practices are scrambling to catch up.
Source: Cardiovascular Business
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Recent study demonstrates discrepancies in
nuclear cardiology reporting yet improvement through
ongoing participation in ICANL accreditation process
JUNE 28, 2011 | A new study utilizing data from the Intersocietal Commission
for the Accreditation of Nuclear Medicine Laboratories (ICANL) suggests that while
non-compliance with reporting standards is found in the majority of nuclear cardiology
facilities throughout the U.S., those facilities participating in the ICANL accreditation
process demonstrate an increase in compliance over time.
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ICANL Report - Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
JUNE 2011 |
With the January 1, 2012, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) accreditation mandate
quickly approaching, the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission (ICAVL, ICAEL, ICANL, ICAMRL, ICACTL,
and ICACSF) and the Society of Nuclear Medicine cosponsored a webinar in mid May to address the multitude of questions related to the
upcoming deadline. At this time, the requirements of the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act (MIPPA) apply only to freestanding imaging centers. All nonhospital
suppliers of the technical component of advanced diagnostic imaging services, inclusive of nuclear medicine,
MRI, CT, and PET, must obtain accreditation as a condition for reimbursement.
Source: Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology - Vol. 39, No. 2
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MIPPA: Are You Accredited Yet?
MAY 2011 | On the first day of 2012, private outpatient imaging centers providing MRI, CT, PET exams and nuclear medicine procedures will need accreditation for Medicare to reimburse for the technical component under Part B of the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, as required by the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act (MIPPA).
Are providers ready?
We asked the three designated accreditation agencies: Joint Commission, the American College of Radiology (ACR), and the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission (IAC).
Source: DiagnosticImaging.com, May 2011 Issue
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Health 411: There are limits to how much a doctor or hospital may charge for medical
MAY 2011 | My doctor wants me to visit a private facility for several CT scans. I know that this facility is near a hospital that was involved in radiation overexposure of patients because equipment was not properly calibrated. How can a prospective consumer find out if an imaging center is safe?
There is no one place consumers can go to check on the quality of imaging centers. Still, there are resources to help evaluate if the provider delivers quality care.
Source: Health 411 Column, May 16, 2011
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What’s Happening with Facility Accreditation
Process and Requirements
MARCH 2011 | SDMS is a strong proponent of lab
accreditation. SDMS’s policy statement on
accreditation says that the “SDMS supports
accreditation by a nationally recognized
accrediting body of all facilities and clinical
practices that employ sonographers and
provide sonographic services for diagnostic or
screening purposes.” Additionally, the SDMS
believes that all sonographers in an accredited
facility should be credentialed in each of the
sonographic specialties in which they provide
patient services.
Source: SDMS NewsWave, March 2011 Issue
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The Clock's Ticking: Advanced Imaging Accreditation
With less than a year left to get accredited, it's time to weigh the options
FEBRUARY 2011 | By Jan. 1, 2012, imaging centers, office based-physicians and independent diagnostic testing facilities that bill for the technical components of CT, MRI, PET and nuclear medicine exams will need to carry the stamp of approval from one of the authorized advanced imaging accreditation bodies in order to continue receiving Medicare reimbursements. With time running out, imaging experts urge applicants to begin the accreditation process as soon as possible – it may take months to complete, and some facilities are at risk of failing on their first try. But before jumping into the process, providers must first choose their preferred accreditation organization. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services instilled three organizations with the power to accredit facilities. Each organization goes about the accreditation process differently.
Source: DOTmed Business News
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ICANL Report: Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
NOVEMBER 2010 | With the quickly approaching January 1, 2012, deadline of the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS) accreditation mandate for nonhospital providers of advanced diagnostic imaging (defined by CMS as nuclear medicine, MRI, CT, and PET), ICANL has made several enhancements to ensure that applicant facilities experience a beneficial and efficient pathway to accreditation. Source: Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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