Journal of the American College of Radiology : JACR
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To study recent trends in the utilization of abdominal imaging in the Medicare population. ⋯ In recent years, the increase in the utilization rate of abdominal imaging among the Medicare population was relatively moderate (25% over 9 years). There was a substantial increase in the use of computed tomography and computed tomographic angiography and a smaller increase in the use of ultrasound. The use of plain radiography and gastrointestinal fluoroscopy declined. Radiologists strongly predominate in abdominal imaging, and this may be one reason why growth has been modest.
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The Medicare Fee-for-Service Program is in the midst of numerous administrative and regulatory changes that may affect the way local Medicare payment policy is implemented. These changes involve redefining the contractors' jurisdictions, competitive bidding for the contractor selection process, combining the administration of Part A and Part B services, and error rate auditing. In addition, the roles of the Contractor Medical Directors and Contractor Advisory Committees are yet to be defined, and the future of the existing advisory process, while currently unchanged, remains uncertain. ⋯ The American College of Radiology (ACR) monitors the activity of the local contractors and assists local physicians through the ACR Carrier Advisory Committee Network. The ACR has used a combination of clinical and economic experts to develop model Local Coverage Determinations for use by the local contractors, and some of these model policies have been developed in conjunction with other specialty societies, which bolsters their effectiveness. The changing administrative environment presents challenges and opportunities for specialty societies to influence local CMS payment policy.