“Point of care” imaging has arrived. Just as telemedicine and pharmacy-based clinic services have made access to medical care more convenient for patients, some advanced diagnostic imaging (ADI) services are now supported through mobile or more compact systems.
For example, an estimated 30,000 to 50,000 Cone Beam CT imaging systems are in use today for diagnostic purposes. Although relatively new, established Cone Beam CT imaging specialty areas include dental, ENT, maxillofacial, musculoskeletal, orthopedics, and podiatry. With Cone Beam CT imaging, patients receive salient clinical insights via 3D reconstructed images, and these insights are gained directly at the point of care. In addition, the Cone Beam CT imaging captures more detail than a traditional X-ray.
A growing number of published research studies show the clinical efficacy of using Cone Beam CT imaging systems. For example, an orthopedist treating a patient with an ankle problem can utilize a weight-bearing Cone Beam CT imaging system installed in their office to gain immediate diagnostic information. Similarly, when a dentist is engaged in pre-surgical implant planning, a 3D Cone Beam CT image can provide important details related to the patient’s treatment plan to promote better outcomes and reduce complications. Those details include key measurements related to anatomical structures, a level of observation not available in a traditional 2D panoramic X-ray. However, in some situations, it should be noted that a traditional CT or other ADI modality may be more clinically useful depending on the patient’s medical conditions.
Addressing Cone Beam CT Imaging Quality Concerns
Beyond FDA approval, very few regulations exist to oversee key aspects of Cone Beam CT imaging services. Concerns often emerge regarding the proper calibration of Cone Beam CT units and the associated workflows to ensure quality-based Cone Beam CT images. Due to these concerns, payers can be hesitant to reimburse for “unregulated” services.
The good news is that we spent four years developing two new accreditation programs: Dental Cone Beam CT ADI Accreditation (covering dental and maxillofacial specialty imaging) and Medical Cone Beam CT ADI Accreditation (covering ENT, maxillofacial, musculoskeletal, orthopedics, and podiatry specialty imaging).
The Cone Beam CT Standards Committee, in conjunction with leading experts in the field, carefully drafted standards that address the particular circumstances associated with this unique field of imaging, including the technical abilities of the equipment (e.g., proper calibration through regular physics testing) and key clinical workflows (e.g., the qualifications of the technologist pushing the button and the provider who is interpreting images) – among other important requirements.
As a result, the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has recognized RadSite’s Cone Beam CT Standards for the reimbursement of Medicare beneficiaries, and many private payers are following suit. Unfortunately, most Cone Beam CT imaging providers are not accredited yet and are not following key protocols embedded in RadSite’s Standards.
To Learn More
If you would like to learn more about RadSite’s Cone Beam CT Standards, click here.
To learn more about Cone Beam CT industry trends and reimbursement opportunities, check out one of RadSite’s complimentary webinars:
- An Overview of Cone Beam CT Imaging
- RadSite Cone Beam CT Standards Overview
- Cone Beam CT Imaging Quality-Based Standards and Payer Reimbursement – Pt I
- Cone Beam CT Imaging Quality-Based Standards and Payer Reimbursement – Pt II
- Moving to a Uniform Physics Testing Protocol for Cone Beam CT Imaging
- Have a Dental CBCT? Here are the diagnostic and reimbursement methods to know.
For additional information, please contact RadSite’s customer service at info@radsitequality.com or (443) 440-5622.
Garry Carneal, JD, MA
President & CEO
RadSite