So, taking advantage of the benefits of the CMS reimbursement decision will depend on what healthcare organizations — those that represent the norm; those without access to endless resources — are willing to pay. The cost of a ticket to this show – will be the cost of the resources, tools and technologies necessary to appropriately deliver low dose CT screenings for patients.

The healthcare industry as a whole continues to be challenged by the changing dynamic and financial implications resulting from healthcare reform. So the CMS decision creates an opportunity for facilities to yield significant reimbursements if they can achieve diagnostic confidence in reading CT scans at 3 mGv. Let’s consider what their ticket options might be.


Embracing low dose CT imaging

For a small percentage of organizations, typically the large academic medical research centers, resources are more plentiful and so the ability exists to investigate low dose screening measures with their technologies and radiologists to achieve optimal CT lung cancer screenings at the CMS defined levels. These same facilities, and a tier of other top health systems, also have the option to simply replace an existing CT scanner with a new model. A high ticket option for sure.

Another approach is to look at an investment in CT Iterative Reconstruction software. Today most CT scanner manufacturers are offering this as an upgrade. This option, however, could still wind up costing organizations more than they are able to spend.

So where does that leave the majority of healthcare organizations? There still is a proven option that is unlike the rest, and for most, it will be the ticket to receiving reimbursement. A third-party, vendor neutral image enhancement solution can be added to achieve low dose and high image quality, at a price point that is affordable to most healthcare systems. Beyond lung screenings for high-risk patients, such a CT dose reduction software solution can also pave the path for CT operators to implement low dose for all patient scans and comply with broader low dose initiatives. The best of all worlds.

Taking things a step further, for healthcare organizations that have multiple CT scanners, a cloud-based CT low dose solution – using iterative image reconstruction - has the potential to immediately enable LDCT-compliant lung screenings facility-wide at the optimal ticket price. The ease-of-use and elimination of integration process lend themselves to helping an organization offer patients low dose CT screening quickly and efficiently. In essence, such an option could be providers’ most cost-effective road to a ticket.

Having recently finalized its proposed decision, CMS has set things in motion and the curtains of this show will be pulled back very soon. Providers have the chance to invest heavily – or smartly – in their tickets, to the significant opportunity that lies within the upcoming changes to CT and reimbursement. How will you punch your ticket?

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