American College of Radiology (ACR)

The American College of Radiology represents diagnostic radiologists, radiation oncologists, interventional radiologists, nuclear medicine physicians and medical physicists. The society represents more than 41,000 diagnostic and interventional radiologists, radiation oncologists, nuclear medicine physicians and medical physicists. ACR helps members, through advocacy, quality and safety, and innovation, and serves as the voice of radiology, demonstrating value and setting standards to advance the field and practice.

ACR shares guidance to help members deal with confusing White House executive orders

A string of executive orders from the White House created serious concerns among radiologists and other healthcare providers throughout the United States. The American College of Radiology issued a statement to help guide its members through the chaos. 

Elizabeth Ann Ignacio, MD, FSIR, FACR, the chair of Society of Interventional Radiology (SIR) Small and Rural Practices Committee, president of the Hawaii Medical Association, and a board member of the American College of Radiology, outlines the shortage of IRs outside of major cities and ways to make these positions more attractive.

How to address the shortage of interventional radiologists

Elizabeth Ann Ignacio, MD, FSIR, FACR, chair of SIR Small and Rural Practices Committee, and an ACR board member, outlines ways to make these positions outside of major cities more attractive.

Dana Smetherman, MD, ACR CEO, explains AUC may be better than prior authorizations.

ACR CEO discusses solution to fight burdensome prior authorizations in medical imaging

Dana Smetherman, MD, MBA, outlines a possible remedy for the growing number of these roadblocks in the specialty. 

Dana H. Smetherman, MD, MPH, MBA, FACR, the new CEO of the American College of Radiology (ACR), explains with the ongoing 2024 election, it is very unlikely there will be any serious reform to the Medicare payment system this year. She said further Medicare cuts set for 2025 also further threaten patient access to care.

Meaningful Medicare reform unlikely in 2024

New American College of Radiology CEO Dana Smetherman, MD, discusses the impact of reimbursement cuts, issues with staffing costs and prior authorization. 

AMA chart showing Medicare update payments compared to the cost of practice inflation between 2001-2024. The ongoing AMA PPI survey will be used top recalculate radiology practice expenses, but only 10 practices so far has submitted data that will impact all radiology practices.

Only 10 radiology practices completed survey used to adjust Medicare payments

The ACR shared its concerns about the lack of participation as the deadline approaches. 

Richard Heller, MD, RSNA Board member, associate chief medical officer for health policy and communications, and national director of pediatric radiology at Radiology Partners, explains some insurance companies are trying to take advantage of the No Surprises Billing Act by telling radiology practices they need to accept lower rates to remain part of the providers in-network.

Radiologists urged to report insurance companies forcing lower reimbursements due to No Surprises Act

Some payers are taking advantage of the NSA by forcing practices to accept lower rates to remain in-network, says Rad Partners' Richard Heller, MD. 

Telemammography

4 key trends in breast imaging

These trends include growth in 3D mammography, supplemental imaging for women with dense breasts and in the role of artificial intelligence.

Interview with Stamatia Destounis, MD, FACR, a radiologist and managing partner at Elizabeth Wende Breast Care in Rochester, New York, chair of the American College of Radiology (ACR) Breast Commission, serves on the Public Information Advisors Committee for Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) and on the Society of Breast Imaging (SBI) Communication Committee. She discusses post-COVID economic issues facing breast imaging centers, including the "great resignation" and lower reimbursements.

VIDEO: Issues with the great resignation and lower reimbursements in breast imaging

Stamatia Destounis, MD, FACR, a radiologist and managing partner at Elizabeth Wende Breast Care in Rochester, New York, and chair of the ACR Breast Commission, discusses post-COVID-19 economic issues facing breast imaging centers, including staffing problems from the "Great Resignation" and lower reimbursements. 

Around the web

A string of executive orders from the White House created serious concerns among radiologists and other healthcare providers throughout the United States. The American College of Radiology issued a statement to help guide its members through the chaos. 

Bridgefield Capital, founded in 2015, has previously invested in such popular brands as Cirque Du Soleil, Del Monte and Quiksilver. This transaction is expected to be completed in the second half of 2025. 

Given the precarious excitement of the moment—or is it exciting precarity?—policymakers and healthcare leaders must set directives guiding not only what to do with AI but also when to do it.