Hi Daniel
With all due respect, Medicare coverage of work done by overseas radiologists, many of whom earn a fraction of US radiologists, would lead to the collapse of the specialty. I don't know a single US radiologist who would accept the same pay as a radiologist in India, or even in much of Europe. They would all retire or go into a different specialty or profession. Even if Medicare employed GPCI's tied to the cost of operating overseas, simply opening that door would drive down commercial reimbursement to levels that would not be sustainable for US radiologists. There is nothing other than Medicare and Medicaid restrictions standing in the way of large scale offshoring.
Dave
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David Smith FACMPE
Executive Director
United Imaging Consultants
Mission KS
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Original Message:
Sent: 04-02-2024 08:30
From: Daniel Strauch
Subject: $3.1M FCA Settlement Agreement Reminds That Final Radiology Reports Should Be Real
To take what might be a controversial stand:
In light of the severe Radiologist shortage, and the prevalence of remote reading, is it reasonable to ask Medicare to CHANGE their rules and allow International interpretations? The Radiologists should be licensed in the State where the images were generated, be enrolled in Medicare, and perhaps even be Certified by the American Board of Radiology. But it would be a helpful resource to use these International Radiologists to supplement the increasing demand in the U.S., especially for overnight coverage.
Just my $0.02...
Dan
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Daniel Strauch MHA
Chief Operating Officer
Southtowns Radiology Associates, LLC
Hamburg NY
Original Message:
Sent: 04-01-2024 13:15
From: Thomas Greeson
Subject: $3.1M FCA Settlement Agreement Reminds That Final Radiology Reports Should Be Real
Radiology groups that are assisted by contract radiologists either inside the US or outside the US performing preliminary interpretation services need to make sure their own radiologists' work that is billed to Medicare and other payors is "real." Official interpreting radiologists must always independently read and interpret radiological images, and independently prepare their own report based on same.
Thomas W. Greeson
Partner
Life Sciences Health Industry Group
He/Him/His
tgreeson@reedsmith.com
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Reed Smith LLP
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Original Message:
Sent: 4/1/2024 7:32:00 AM
From: Linda Bush
Subject: RE: $3.1M FCA Settlement Agreement Reminds That Final Radiology Reports Should Be Real
Tom,
How will this affect their clients or any client of a telerad group that is found liable for this act?
Thank you,
Linda
Original Message:
Sent: 3/29/2024 3:17:00 PM
From: Thomas Greeson
Subject: $3.1M FCA Settlement Agreement Reminds That Final Radiology Reports Should Be Real
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Thomas W Greeson
Reed Smith LLP
(703) 517-0495
tgreeson@reedsmith.com
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