Practice Management

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  • 1.  Oncology Clinical Trials and RECIST measurements - how to quantify cost

    Posted 09-03-2020 16:49
    Hello,

    Our group has been approached by the oncologists employed in our main hospital system to provide RECIST measurements in support of clinical trials ongoing at our facilities.  It is time consuming and negatively impacts our radiologists workflow.  We are open to doing it but feel we should be reimbursed either through the clinical trials themselves or via hospital support.  Anyone have experience with this?  If so, how did you develop charge(s) for this service?  If anyone has insight, it would be appreciated!

    Josh

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    Joshua Dorsey
    Chief Executive Officer
    Radiology Associates of Northern Kentucky
    Crestview Hills
    614-284-1597
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  • 2.  RE: Oncology Clinical Trials and RECIST measurements - how to quantify cost

    Posted 09-04-2020 12:36

    Joshua – My  insight for what it is worth.

     

    First I try to get an average time for the radiologists to provide the additional measurements, then apply the average revenue per hour to reach an average cost/reimbursement for the service. The time commitment  for these measurement  s will vary based upon the case mix severity of the patient population, so don't just take one time measure....

     

    If the grant submission was not done with your involvement, frequently the research grant has a dollar amount set for the studies that will be done on patients and the RECIST measures are included in that study reimbursement. This amount is normally far below market because the individuals did not know what they were doing when it came to the imaging component.

     

    If the radiology group was consulted in the grant preparation, then your reimbursement will likely be more in line with the time and skill investment by the radiologists.

     

    I would recommend not being afraid to do the time measurement and request a reasonable reimbursement based upon the time invested. It will seem like a big number and the grant administrator will balk, but it is what is fair. Let me know if you want to talk, just hit me with an email or call  me.....worse you'll  get is my voice mail..... have a great holiday weekend....

     

    Keith E. Chew, MHA, CMPE, FRBMA

    Principal – Consulting with Integrity

    18 Hawks Nest Chatham, IL   62629

    217-971-5293 Direct

     




    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: Oncology Clinical Trials and RECIST measurements - how to quantify cost

    Posted 09-04-2020 12:50
    Joshua - We staff two health systems that require Recist reads as well.   They are time consuming and generally cause radiologist angst. 
    Feel free to call me, but what  I've  learned:

    1)  Insist the order is very clear that this is a Recist read.    We found this information wasn't always clear at outset and required back tracking 

    2)  We charge a Recist fee in addition to the normal read fee.   The recist fee tends to be higher than the read fee but is a flat amount per case. This is charged to the entity requesting the recist read, and receiving the grant money

    3)   The initial read is the longest , as that is where all of the measurements occur, on the lesions the oncology clinicians are tracking. .

    4)   Usually there is a separate form required.  Require that the oncology clinic submits all of that information with the specified lesions.

    5)  We provide the reading radiologist with 45 mins of coverage from elsewhere in the practice when these come through for the First case.  This requires scheduling communication in advance from ordering clinic.   We don't provide this coverage for follow ups, as typically that's faster.  These patients tend to be treated longitudinally so generally multiple scans. 

    Hope that's helpful.  Interested in what others have put in place

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    Beth Williams MHA, FACMPE, FRBMA
    Executive Director
    Vantage Radiology and Diagnostic Services
    Federal Way WA
    (253) 661-1700 ext. 1105
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    Original Message


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