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Table of Contents
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| FRS Membership Dues |
Please contact the American College of Radiology Membership Services at (800) 347-7748 to pay your 2024 Florida Radiological Society membership dues. |
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| Letter from the Editor |
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The Impact of Millennials, Generation X, and Baby Boomers on the Future of Radiology
Introduction
The field of radiology has undergone significant advancements over the decades, with each generation playing a unique role in shaping its future. Millennials, Generation X, and Baby Boomers have each left their mark on the practice of radiology, influencing everything from technology adoption to patient care. In this article, we will explore how these three generations have impacted the field of radiology and discuss their ongoing contributions to its evolution.
- Baby Boomers: Pioneers of Modern Radiology
Baby Boomers, born between 1946 and 1964, witnessed the birth of modern radiology and its rapid growth. They were the first to embrace technologies like CT scans, MRI, and ultrasound, which revolutionized diagnostic imaging. As the largest generation in history, they played a pivotal role in the widespread adoption of these technologies, making radiology an essential part of modern healthcare.
Their experience in the field helped refine diagnostic techniques and improve patient care. Baby Boomers also contributed to the development of subspecialties within radiology, such as interventional radiology and nuclear medicine, which have become integral in the treatment of various medical conditions.
- Generation X: Bridging the Gap with Technology
Generation X, born between 1965 and 1980, saw the emergence of digital technology and played a crucial role in its integration into radiology. They were the first to fully embrace Picture Archiving and Communication Systems (PACS) and Radiology Information Systems (RIS), which streamlined workflow and improved image management.
Moreover, Generation X radiologists were instrumental in adapting to the digital era, incorporating teleradiology into their practice. This technology allowed for remote reading of images, expanding access to radiology services in underserved areas and improving turnaround times for patient diagnoses.
- Millennials: Embracing Artificial Intelligence and Telemedicine
Millennials, born between 1981 and 1996, are at the forefront of the latest radiological innovations. Their tech-savvy nature has led to the rapid adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning in radiology. AI algorithms can assist radiologists in tasks like image interpretation and lesion detection, leading to faster and more accurate diagnoses.
Additionally, Millennials have championed the use of telemedicine in radiology, which gained significant traction during the COVID-19 pandemic. Telemedicine allows patients to consult with radiologists remotely, reducing the need for in-person visits and improving accessibility to healthcare services.
Collaborative Efforts and the Future
While each generation has made its unique contributions to radiology, it’s important to note that the field’s evolution has been a collaborative effort. Baby Boomers, Generation X, and Millennials have worked together to advance patient care and diagnostic accuracy.
Looking ahead, the future of radiology will continue to be shaped by ongoing collaboration among these generations. The integration of AI and telemedicine will become more sophisticated, allowing for even faster and more precise diagnoses. Radiologists from different generations will bring their expertise to enhance the application of these technologies, ensuring that patient care remains at the forefront.
Conclusion
The field of radiology has evolved significantly over the years, thanks to the contributions of Baby Boomers, Generation X, and Millennials. Baby Boomers pioneered the use of modern imaging
technologies, Generation X integrated digital solutions, and Millennials are harnessing the power of AI and telemedicine.
As these generations work together, the future of radiology looks promising, with continuous advancements in technology and patient care. The interplay of experience, innovation, and adaptability among these generations ensures that radiology will remain an essential component of modern healthcare, serving patients with increasingly precise diagnoses and treatment options.
CHATGPT Series #3
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Edem Chen, MD
Secretary, FRS |
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| Meet Your 2023 – 2024 FRS Executive Committee |
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President
Laura Vallow, MD |
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President Elect
Juan Batlle, MD
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Treasurer
Andrew Bowman, MD, PhD |
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Secretary,
Edem Chen, MD |
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Past President
Chintan Desai, MD, FACR |
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Radiation Oncology, Chair
Jennifer Peterson, M.D.
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| FRS President’s Message |
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Welcome to the October 2023 ebrief. We are thrilled to have you with us and appreciate your continued support. Our society is dedicated to serving and representing the interests of radiology related specialties in Florida. This involves actively participating in representation to government and commercial payers as well as relevant legislation.
Healthcare payment policy is complicated for services and treatment of illnesses and even more complicated in coverage for preventative services. While lifesaving preventative services and cost saving cancer screening is an obvious priority, the coverage and process to obtain reimbursement varies among payers creating confusion for patients and providers. When Congress created Medicare in the 1965 Social Security Act, only diagnostic services and treatment for illnesses were included. Amendments to the original statute were necessary to provide coverage for preventative services such as mammography which was not covered by Medicare until 1990.
In 2008 Congress passed the Medicare improvements for Patients and Providers Act (MIPPA). This granted authority to expand coverage for screening through the national coverage determination (NCD) process. To qualify for Medicare coverage, a preventive service must be determined to be reasonable and necessary for the prevention or early detection of illness or disability and recommended with a grade A or B by the USPSTF (US Preventive Services Task Force).
Medicare is a federal program, but claims are processed through a network of private insurers called Medicare Administrative Contractors (MAC) in different geographic locations. Typically, a service that doesn’t have an NCD, coverage can be obtained through a local coverage determination. This is not the case for screening and preventive services which require an NCD.
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) in 2010, coverage of screening services by commercial insurers and state Medicaid programs, is only eligible for screening tests that receive a grade A or B USPSTF recommendation. Despite the ACA, Congress has delayed until Jan 2024, coverage for biennial screening mammograms from age 50-74 despite being in the 2016 USPSTF guidelines. In addition, there are currently no USPSTF guidelines for supplemental screening for dense breasts or high-risk patients. While some states have passed legislation requiring coverage for supplemental screening and mandating patient notification of breast density, these mandates apply to commercial payers and state Medicaid programs, Medicare is a federal program with coverage determined at the national level. To make it even more confusing, those who have screening covered under ACA based on USPSTF recommendations, may not have additional diagnostic evaluations following screening mammography covered.
Early cancer detection may save patients the morbidity and mortality of unnecessary treatments such as surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation therapy. And while the idea that preventive and screening services would ultimately decrease health care costs, the reality for patients and providers is far from simple. |
Laura Vallow, MD
President, Florida Radiological Society |
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| FRBMA President’s Message |
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Interventional Radiology: Challenges and Strategies for Maintaining Your Groups’ IR Service Line
As managers of the bottom line, administrators struggle with the seemingly unbalanced contribution of hospital based interventional radiology income to that of the groups’ diagnostic radiology income. Often the income generated by interventional procedures when billed as professional services do not support the cost of providing the required onsite and call hours for the interventional radiologists themselves. With the reimbursement landscape continuously being squeezed, the ability of diagnostic radiology services to offset the lower income to cost of IR in the hospital is becoming more challenging. When coupled with the uncompensated care experienced in many Florida hospitals, radiology groups are looking for creative ways to meet the needs of their patients, hospitals and communities while remaining fiscally healthy and successful.
Our own FRBMA meetings have been interspersed with discussions around IR hospital coverage and strategies for success.
Advanced Practice Providers (APP)
When the ability to increase revenue is insufficient to cover the current costs of providing services, many groups now look to advanced practice providers to help reduce costs and increase margins for their interventional radiology service lines. Effective use of APPs can increase efficiency and productivity within the IR department. Their impact can be seen in both offsetting procedural as well as nonprocedural burdens on the physician. It is important to note that the way APPs are utilized in the hospital outpatient setting may play a role in the cost component of MIPS, so administrators and physicians are advised to consult with their MIPS experts and billing coders to be fully informed. Our FRMBA Winter Retreat 2024 will highlight both the use of APPs and MIPS considerations.
Hospital Professional Service Agreements
Along with the use of APPs, many groups are turning to their hospital CEOs as partners in the interventional radiology services department and asking for assistance in mitigating the cost of providing access to services within the hospital. These discussions typically include a review of annual procedure volumes and revenues coupled with an accounting of the
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associated costs to provide the services. In larger hospital systems where high acuity IR procedures are prevalent, groups are looking to hospitals for financial stipends that assist in maintaining the 24/7 coverage requirements of the hospital. Smaller hospitals with less resources are considering whether to provide after hour IR services on their campus or shift these procedures to their larger hospital counterparts, thus reducing the cost requirement for coverage by the group. In preparing for collaboration with your hospital decision makers, use of national databases like those provided by MGMA (Medical Group Management Association) can provide a neutral validating resource for not only your cost components but productivity expectations for the IR specialty physicians. Many hospitals utilize MGMA data for other specialty service lines so are familiar with and trust their content.
Office Based Interventional Radiology
Perhaps the approach gaining the most traction and momentum is the shift of outpatient interventional radiology procedures from the hospital-based outpatient department to an offsite OBL or ACS. There are many advantages to the provision of IR services in a stand-alone office suite. From your patients’ perspective, the experience is likely to be more positive with convenient patient-centric locations, ease of scheduling and lower out of pocket costs. Physicians and groups have greater influence on support staff, supplies and scheduling processes which, in turn, leads to a higher sense of autonomy and control over clinical outcomes and fiscal performance. Additionally, for many procedures, the group may experience an increase in reimbursement levels as insurance payors seek to move patients away from the high cost of hospital-based services. While some groups are independently creating OBLs, consideration for impact on your hospital relationships should be a discussion point. Potential considerations for partnering with your hospital in the development of your OBL or ACS could be worth exploring if there is concern regarding negatively impacting the hospitals’ IR service line.
As we move into another year of CMS reductions that impact our IR FFS payments while continuing to struggle with the current radiologist staffing shortages, administrators should be assessing and strategically discussing the future of their interventional radiology programs to maximize their opportunities and preserve this valuable service line within their group. Utilizing your fellow FRBMA leaders and RBMA resources can provide you with many of the tools you will need to support your radiologists in navigating these discussions.
Make sure to register now for the FRBMA Winter Retreat, February 2, 2024 at the Renaissance Orlando Sea World, where we will continue to explore opportunities for success with our interventional radiology practices in concert with current leadership and radiology business trends and topics. |
Lisa Adams, CEO, MBA
President, FRBMA |
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| Legislative Update |
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The Republican caucus met on Monday, September 18th, and officially voted in Speaker designee Danny Perez, R, Miami, to lead the caucus and to be the next Speaker of the Florida House. Speaker Paul Renner, R, Jacksonville, is entering his last year as Speaker. They held a few committee meetings on Tuesday and Wednesday and then headed back out of town. The Senate did not meet at the Senate office building as it is still being renovated. Asbestos is being removed and new windows are being installed.
The Senate is meeting the week of October 9th, but the House is staying home. The House and Senate will both host committee meetings the week of October 16th.
Session starts in January this year; so, it is quite a busy time with legislation being introduced.
The Legislators are in full fundraising mode as they work to fill their campaign coffers since they cannot fundraise while is Session.
Please support your FRS PAC to ensure the members who support us are able to get re-elected.
Best,
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Alison Dudley, FRS Lobbyist
AlisonDudley@dudleyandassociates.com |
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| RLI Luminary Awards Ceremony |
| Dr. Lawrence R. Muroff was recognized at the RLI Luminary Award on September,29, 2023 in Boston, MA for his outstanding national leadership. Read More |
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Left to Right:
Pat Williams and Dr. Charles Williams • Dr. Lawrence Muroff and Carol Muroff
Anna Dodson, Michael Muroff and Julie Muroff |
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Left to Right:
Drs. Lawrence Muroff and Joseph Cernigliaro |
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Left to Right:
Drs. Lawrence Muroff, Charles Williams and Van Moore.
Drs. Muroff and Moore were recipients of the RLI Luminary Awards. |
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| Job Posting Opportunities |
| Florida Radiological Society is pleased to introduce the opportunity for interested parties to advertise for potential jobs in our monthly FRS Ebrief bulletin.
Advertisement pricing is as follows:
Ebrief Job Posting pricing:
3 months ($100 monthly)
6 months ($90 monthly)
12 months ($80 monthly)
Please contact Lorraine Roger, our Society Administrator for further information on how to advertise in our monthly publication.
Phone: (813) 806-1070
Fax: (813) 806-1071
Email: lroger@flrad.org
We feel that this will provide a valuable service to both our members and our Florida community of Radiology.
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| Become a PAC Member Today |
| Attention FRBMA Members! Please support the cause. We encourage you to be PAC members and supporters; you do not have to belong to the FRS. Donations can be made online through our PAC website www.FLRADPAC.org. Thank you for your donation.
It is critical that we support both our Florida PAC and RADPAC in order to bolster our voice in Tallahassee and Washington, respectively. Please join FRS lobbyist Alison Dudley in her special appeal for all Florida radiologists to become Florida PAC members. If you would like to help FRS defend radiology against untoward legislation and introduce bills that have a positive impact on our practices, we need your financial support to re-elect our friends in the state House and Senate. The FRS can also show you simplified ways on how to sign up your radiology group. Contact Lorraine Roger or contact Alison Dudley at for more information. |
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Telephone (813) 806-1070 • Fax (813) 806-1071
5620 W. Sligh Avenue • Tampa, Florida 33634
  
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| The E-Brief is an exclusive member benefit of Florida Radiological Society, delivering monthly member, chapter and industry news. Please do not reply to this automatic e-mail. For comments or questions about the E-Brief, please contact lroger@flrad.org. |
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