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The mission of the Harvey L. Neiman Health Policy Institute® is to establish foundational evidence for health policy and radiology practice that promotes the effective and efficient use of health care resources and improves patient care.

Health Policy

Alternative Payment Models in Radiology: The Legislative and Regulatory Roadmap for Reform

This paper describes the recent MACRA legislation, including its impacts on payment, the timeline involved and how organizations, including the ACR, are helping to share its rules and regulations. Full Article

Silva, E., McGinty, G.B., Hughes, D.R., and Duszak Jr, R. 2016. "Alternative Payment Models in Radiology: The Legislative and Regulatory Roadmap for Reform," Journal of the American College of Radiology, 13(10): 1176 - 1181.

Traditional Payment Models in Radiology: Historical Context for Ongoing Reform

This paper provides a detailed historical context for payment reform, focusing on the payment quality initiatives and alternative payment model demonstrations that helped provide the foundation of future MACRA-driven payment reform. Full Article

Silva, E., McGinty, G.B., Hughes, D.R., and Duszak Jr, R. 2016. "Traditional Payment Models in Radiology: Historical Context for Ongoing Reform," Journal of the American College of Radiology, 13(10): 1171 - 1175.

Diagnostic Imaging Services in Magnet and Non-Magnet Hospitals: Trends in Utilization and Costs

The purpose of this study was to better understand trends in utilization and costs of diagnostic imaging services at Magnet hospitals and non-Magnet hospitals. Full Article

Jayawardhana, J., and Welton, J.M. 2015. "Diagnostic Imaging Services in Magnet and Non-Magnet Hospitals: Trends in Utilization and Costs," Journal of the American College of Radiology, 12(12): 1357 - 1363.

Identifying Patients With Undiagnosed Chronic Conditions: An Examination of Patient Costs Before Chronic Disease Diagnosis

This study assesses if identifying chronic conditions at earlier stages could produce dramatic savings to the health care system. This study sought to determine whether patients with chronic conditions experienced higher medical costs and imaging costs than patients with nonchronic conditions before the onset of chronic disease. Full Article

Deyo, D., Hemingway, J., and Hughes, D.R. 2015. "Identifying Patients With Undiagnosed Chronic Conditions: An Examination of Patient Costs Before Chronic Disease Diagnosis," Journal of the American College of Radiology, 12(12): 1388 - 1394.

March 7, 2016

How Many Medicare Enrollees? CMS Methodological Changes and Implications for Research

Recent changes in how CMS reports the number of Medicare enrollees highlights the difficulties in performing consistent and transparent studies even when using the best data available. Read More

December 16, 2015

Neiman Imaging Types of Service (NITOS)

Neiman Imaging Types of Services (NITOS) codes provide a variable that can be merged into datasets by HCPCS code to identify imaging procedures by modality and anatomic site. This new coding system augments the existing BETOS system for imaging focused studies, and was designed to be usable either in conjunction with or in lieu of BETOS for imaging analyses. Read More

How Much do Common Imaging Studies Cost? A Nationwide Survey of Radiology Trainees

This study gauges the knowledge of radiology trainees regarding the costs of common imaging services and to assess their perceptions of current relevant education. Full Article

Vijayasarathi, A., Hawkins, C.M., Hughes, D.R., Mullins, M.E., and Duszak Jr, R. 2015. "How Much do Common Imaging Studies Cost? A Nationwide Survey of Radiology Trainees," American Journal of Roentgenology, 205(5): 929 - 935.

Screening Mammography Rates in the Medicare Population Before and After the 2009 U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Guideline Change: An Interrupted Time Series Analysis

This study examines longitudinal trends in screening mammography utilization and the presence of any changes in utilization associated with the 2009 U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) guideline change. Full Article

Jiang M., Hughes D.R., & Duszak Jr. R.. 2015. "Screening Mammography Rates in the Medicare Population Before and After the 2009 U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Guideline Change: An Interrupted Time Series Analysis," Women's Health Issues, 25(3): 239 - 245.

Perspectives on the Value of Advanced Medical Imaging: A National Survey of Primary Care Physicians

This study assess the perceptions of primary care physicians about the value of advanced medical imaging. Full Article

Hughes, C. M., Kramer, E., Colamonico, J., & Duszak, R.. 2015. "Perspectives on the Value of Advanced Medical Imaging: A National Survey of Primary Care Physicians," Journal of American College of Radiology, 12(5): 458 - 462.

A Comparison of Diagnostic Imaging Ordering Patterns Between Advanced Practice Clinicians and Primary Care Physicians Following Office-Based Evaluation and Management Visits

This study compares the utilization of diagnostic imaging between advanced practice clinicians - specifically nurse practitioners and physician assistants - and primary care physicians. Full Article

Hughes, D.R., Jiang, M., Duszak, R. 2015. "A Comparison of Diagnostic Imaging Ordering Patterns Between Advanced Practice Clinicians and Primary Care Physicians Following Office-Based Evaluation and Management Visits," JAMA Internal Medicine, 175(1): 101 - 107.