In 2013, the average age of installed MRI scanners in the U.S. increased to 11.4 years, meaning many scanners are due for replacement, according to a report from market research and consulting firm IMV Medical Information Division.

Two explanations are usually offered to explain variation in hospital prices within local markets. High prices are often associated with specialized, tertiary care hospitals with a unique mission, or the high-price hospital is exerting its market power in negotiation of prices with private payers.

Intense and increasing pressure to control growth in private health insurance premiums may lead to radical approaches like state-based rate setting or restrictions on contracting arrangements between hospitals and health plans, according to a study published online Jan. 29 by Health Affairs.

Pediatric patient-specific organ dose estimations for chest and abdominopelvic CT examinations are possible with knowledge of patient size and CTDIvol, according to a study published in the February 2014 issue of Radiology.

Mark Idstrom, MD, who filed an antitrust suit against his former partners at Kansas City’s Alliance Radiology PA, will have his case heard at trial as a Johnson Country judge denied the defense’s motion for a full summary judgment, according to the Kansas City Business Journal.

A one-time invitation for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) screening in men 65 or older is associated with decreased AAA rupture and AAA-related mortality rates, according to a review published Jan. 27 in Annals of Internal Medicine. The invitation for screening had little to no effect on all-cause mortality rates.

As new healthcare payment models become a reality, what do radiologists need to know to be successful?

Building value is the mantra of radiology today.