Policy & Regulations

This channel includes news coverage of healthcare policy and regulations set by Congress, the states, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and medical associations and societies.

Majority of clinicians support yearly radiation exposure limits, survey reveals

Although there are no current government regulations pertaining to the amount of CT scans individuals can have in a year, new survey data suggest many practicing clinicians support the notion.

Doc indicted over radiology kickback scheme

Payam Toobian, MD, is alleged to have paid kickbacks in the form of gift cards, checks and cash to physicians in exchange for referrals to his Queens imaging center—Empire Imaging—from January 2006 to August 2017.

Patients covered by Medicaid are four times less likely to complete follow-up imaging. What can be done?

The findings are the result of an analysis of more than 13,000 imaging reports containing additional follow-up recommendations.

Despite mandated coverage, nearly half of women are concerned about OOP breast cancer screening expenses

Women who skipped screening due to financial concerns outnumbered those who were not screened due to logistical issues such as scheduling and transportation conflicts, new survey data reveals.

FDA temporarily approves importation of a second foreign-labeled iodinated contrast media

Bracco Diagnostics, Inc has been given the go ahead by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to temporarily import Iomeron (iomeprol injection) into the U.S. market amid the ongoing iodinated contrast media shortage.

Generic, FDA approved contrast agent set to hit the market in wake of nationwide shortage

On July 18 Fresenius Kabi announced that they are rolling out a line of generic contrast media products, starting immediately with Iodixanol Injection USP.

Contrast shortage update: FDA opens door for U.S. providers to order foreign-labeled Bayer contrast media

Per Bayer’s communications, the contrast agent is manufactured at the same site in Berlin, Germany as the Ultravist that is intended for U.S. markets, but due to its intended distribution abroad it lacks current FDA-approved labeling.

Industry leader rips into 'disastrous' proposed Medicare reimbursement cuts

“CMS couldn’t have picked a worse time to cut Medicare payments to physicians,” said RBMA Executive Director Bob Still.

Philips seeks to reduce MRI scan times with new FDA cleared AI-powered software

The new AI addition is said to increase resolution by up to 65% and is compatible with 97% of current MRI protocols.

New consensus guidelines for fluoroscopic swallow studies released

The 40 evidence-based recommendations touch on everything from patient selection to study choice, radiation safety, clinical team dynamics, procedural techniques, study interpretations and more.

CMS shoots down request to reconsider CTC cancer screening coverage

In the June 29 announcement, the ACR revealed CMS said the additional evidence provided to them was “insufficient” to support the reconsideration of their non-coverage decision.

CMS initiates official review of PET scan limit for patients with Alzheimer's

"Clinical study protocols may involve more than one PET [amyloid-beta] scan per patient,” the CMS announcement said.

Around the web

Cardiovascular Business

Pre-procedure CT imaging benefits LAA occlusion in Henry Ford study

There is not agreement among the top structural heart experts if CT is required for left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO), but a Henry Ford Hospital study shows it can improve outcomes.

Cardiovascular Business

VIDEO: New Technologies in Cardiac CT Imaging

Ron Blankstein, MD, Brigham and Women's Hospital, explains recent advances in coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) technology.

Cardiovascular Business

Cardiac CT now in the spotlight thanks to chest pain guidelines

With the elevation of cardiac CT to a 1A indication in the 2021 Chest Pain Guidelines, there has been a large amount of interest in starting coronary artery CT angiography (CCTA) programs.