Last month, RadSite journeyed to Chicago for the Radiological Society of North America’s (RSNA) 101st Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting. The largest radiology-focused event in the world, 51,922 attendees flocked to RSNA 2015 from all over the globe. RadSite was one of 661 exhibitors participating in the conference, and we enjoyed the opportunity to connect with attendees to highlight the differentiating factors of our MIPPA Accreditation Program (MAP) and learn more about their needs and wants when it comes to the topic. Our conversations made it apparent that the RadSite experience is distinct. Although we are one of four organizations recognized for MIPPA accreditation by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), RadSite’s program stands out due to competitive pricing, its user friendly nature and educational approach.
And you don’t have to take our word for it. Judith Buckland, MBA, RDCS, FASE, Founder and CEO of CardioServ, a cardiovascular accreditation organization, recently posted a comparison of RadSite accreditation to programs offered by the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission (IAC, also known as ICANL for nuclear medicine accreditation) and the American College of Radiology (ACR). Buckland states:
“Upon review of RadSite’s application process it truly seems like a blend of both ACR and IAC. Through the eyes of a consultant we have often overly generalized the difference between ACR and IAC and simplified it down to the following:
- ACR seems to focus on equipment quality hence the required phantom testing and they require all case studies to be normal.
- IAC seems to focus on Quality Improvement hence the requirement for QI Measures, polices and abnormal case studies to assess the ability to interpret abnormal studies.
- RadSite seems like a blend of the two and focuses both on equipment and QI Measures and requires phantom testing and QI measures. Both normal and abnormal case studies are accepted.”
Buckland provides an at-a-glance chart that compares RadSite to ICANL and ACR regarding nuclear cardiology. Highlights of the chart include:
|
Requirements |
ACR |
ICANL |
RadSite |
|
Phantom testing |
Mandated |
Optional |
Mandated |
|
Pricing schedule |
Base: $1300 facility fee Plus per unit (module 1,2, or 3)
|
Base: $3300 for nuclear cardiology testing only Additional site fees:
|
Base: $1800 per unit Contact RadSite for multiple unit discounts. |
RadSite appreciates CardioServ’s breakdown and comparison of accreditation services.
What Makes RadSite’s MIPPA Accreditation Program Unique?
The Medicare Improvement for Patients and Providers Act of 2008 (MIPPA) requires all providers who bill CMS for advanced diagnostic imaging (ADI) services under Part B of the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule to be accredited by January 1, 2012, in order to continue to receive reimbursement for their services. The ADI modalities covered under MIPPA are CT, MRI, PET and SPECT.
MAP allows providers to apply for accreditation of their ADI systems with a single application. Similar to the other existing accreditation programs, MAP includes a review of personnel, policies and procedures, as well as sample clinical images and phantom studies. Unlike other accrediting bodies, however, RadSite does not mandate the purchase of a specific phantom for the evaluation of the physics component, but rather accepts many standard phantoms that providers may already own, potentially saving facilities thousands of dollars at the beginning of the application process.
Lowest Pricing in the Industry – Multiple Modules? No problem.
Pricing is straightforward: a specific amount per machine with no hidden costs. RadSite does not charge additional fees for different modules performed on a machine, so all scan types are covered with one low price. RadSite also offers multiple discount options to bring the cost down even more. RadSite is not a modular based accreditation program. If you currently have MRI and are ACR accredited and wanted to become accredited for breast MRI, you would have to pay a dual accreditation with ACR for MRI accreditation and Breast MRI accreditation. With RadSite, once you’re MRI accredited you would be Breast MRI accredited as well since our accreditation is all inclusive.
PET IDEAS Study
In addition, if you currently have PET, PET/CT, mobile PET or PET/MRI you will be eligible to enroll in the Imaging-Dementia Evidence for Amyloid Scanning (IDEAS) Study. CMS will provide reimbursement to participating PET facilities for the costs associated with the PET scans under the CMS coverage with evidence development (CED) policy, which requires research study participation as a condition of Medicare payment. In addition, the Alzheimer’s Association and a consortium of PET tracer manufacturers will provide additional funding to support the research infrastructure and analysis.
RadSite is one of the accreditation agencies allowed for free standing or hospital-based facilities who wish to participate in the PET IDEAS Study. To begin a RadSite accreditation for your PET imaging center and learn how you can become a participant in the PET IDEAS Study, contact us today!
Final Thoughts and Special Pricing | RSNA 2015
These are just a few of the takeaways the RadSite team gleaned from our time at RSNA 2015. Overall, it was a great conference and a wonderful opportunity to learn more about the wants and needs of radiology professionals when it comes to MIPPA Accreditation. In addition, we are pleased to announce that RSNA attendees are eligible for an additional 15% off the application fee. Contact us to claim your RSNA discount code. This offer expires on January 31, 2016.