Recent decisions put spotlight on task force that formerly went unnoticed by public

Beth Walsh | | Health Imaging | Practice Management

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force is the most powerful group of doctors no one—outside of healthcare wonks—has ever heard of, but the group's recent decisions have brought it into the limelight.

Recently, the group said most women don't need a yearly mammogram until the age of 50 and most men shouldn't be screened for prostate cancer, raising concerns by medical organizations and other stakeholders.

But, the Affordable Care Act gave the task force greater influence in deciding the preventive services insurers must cover. Learn more:

You''ve never heard of the powerful doctors making decisions about your health

Beth Walsh,

Editor

Editor Beth earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism and master’s in health communication. She has worked in hospital, academic and publishing settings over the past 20 years. Beth joined TriMed in 2005, as editor of CMIO and Clinical Innovation + Technology. When not covering all things related to health IT, she spends time with her husband and three children.

Related Content

Warning: Sidelined reactor could trigger medical isotope shortage
Malpractice watchers: Radiologists, imaging societies should bone up on the ‘science of visual perception’
ACR shares guidance for radiology providers facing IV supply shortages after hurricane
Incidental finding characteristics that warrant communication
AI implementation improves when radiology staff concerns are considered
Hospital organization sees impressive returns from POCUS integration

Around the web

Cardiovascular Business
Positron partners with Upbeat Cardiology Solutions to improve cardiac PET/CT access

Positron, a New York-based nuclear imaging company, will now provide Upbeat Cardiology Solutions with advanced PET/CT systems and services. 

Cardiovascular Business
Global shortage of nuclear imaging isotopes may be over

The nuclear imaging isotope shortage of molybdenum-99 may be over now that the sidelined reactor is restarting. ASNC's president says PET and new SPECT technologies helped cardiac imaging labs better weather the storm.

Cardiovascular Business
‘A huge win’: CMS significantly increases Medicare payments for cardiac CT

CMS has more than doubled the CCTA payment rate from $175 to $357.13. The move, expected to have a significant impact on the utilization of cardiac CT, received immediate praise from imaging specialists.