Message From Borgstede on Appropriate Utilization
Dear Colleagues,
As we face the new calendar year together along with a new Congress, the ACR will be actively engaged on a number of levels, working to assure the appropriate, safe, high-quality utilization and interpretation of diagnostic medical imaging services. The United States health care system is faced with the concern of rising costs, and diagnostic medical imaging has been pinpointed as one driver behind increasing health expenditures. Accordingly, the appropriate use of medical imaging is an issue of great concern to lawmakers, health plans, and federal agencies. The ACR shares these concerns and is actively evaluating the provision and interpretation of imaging services by provider type, site of service, and frequency to identify solutions that will ensure the appropriate utilization of medical imaging.
Through discussions between College leaders, outside experts, and constituents from other medical specialties, government, industry, insurers, employer groups, and hospitals, several potential strategies have emerged including the development of a policy that would ensure appropriate utilization of diagnostic imaging services through a quality-oriented approach to reimbursement. Such a strategy sets the stage for adherence to quality and safety standards specific to accredited facilities, physician qualifications, and credentialed personnel as conditions of participation in payer programs.
The ACR leadership will be communicating over the next few weeks with members of the College at all levels to further define this strategy and solicit input for the development of our unified voice on this critical issue. I welcome your thoughts, ideas, and concerns regarding the appropriate utilization of diagnostic medical imaging at our member feedback Web address, 4radiology@acr.org.
The 2004-2005 fiscal year promises to be challenging, but one that I look forward to with great optimism as your chairman, working with you to protect and defend the future of our profession.
Sincerely,
James P. Borgstede, MD, FACR
Chair, Board of Chancellors