Care Delivery

This channel includes news on cardiovascular care delivery, including how patients are diagnosed and treated, cardiac care guidelines, policies or legislation impacting patient care, device recalls that may impact patient care, and cardiology practice management.

Examples of two lung cancers that were caught using low dose CT lung screening. Image from RSNA

Q&A: What updated reimbursement policies could mean for CT lung screening rates in the United States

The ACR said a recent reimbursement rule change for low-dose computed tomography (CT) lung screen scans will help open up screening to more patients. 

Young patient recovering after world’s first combination heart transplant and thymus procedure

“This has the potential to change the face of solid organ transplantation in the future,” one surgeon said. 

Prior authorization burdens are increasing

Healthcare leaders agree prior authorization burdens are increasing.

 

Viewing medical images encourages patients to adhere to healthier lifestyles, meta-analysis shows

Researchers examined how sharing medical imaging with patients might encourage healthier behaviors, such as smoking cessation, following a healthy diet and increasing physical activity.

Cardiac hospitals still treating patients as war in Ukraine continues

Despite the Russian invasion, many Ukrainian cardiologists are staying behind to treat patients.

President Biden outlines new COVID plan in state of the union address

President Biden shared an outline of his new plan to combat the ongoing COVID-19 crisis during his State of the Union speech on March 1.

Patient demand for telemedicine remains strong

Clinicians and health systems have had more time to optimize their telemedicine practices, contributing to an increase in telemedicine’s overall favorability among patients, according to a report by Doximity. 

Around the web

Suman Tandon, MD, an American Society of Nuclear Cardiology board member, explains the group's call on Congress to update a number of healthcare policies. 

The 2026 MPFS proposed rule includes higher conversion factors across the board. However, some cardiology groups remain concerned about a series of reimbursement reductions for high-value cardiology services. 

The Heart Rhythm Society and its new advocacy arm plan on pushing CMS to include certain policy improvements in the 2026 MPFS.