Also, Intermountain signs exclusive deal with radiology benefits manager, Sectra partners with Christus Health, and Fujifilm offers up $90,000 grant for COVID ultrasound research. 

The American College of Radiology came out in strong support of the changes, saying the broadened scope could save up to 60,000 lives annually.

That’s according to a new analysis of imaging data from nine such providers located across the country, published in JACR.  

The announcement is the latest in a string of outside-the-box ideas radiology providers are testing to help maintain business until the crisis dissipates. 

At its peak, Philadelphia-based National Medical Imaging operated 23 outpatient radiology screening centers with $72 million in annual revenue. 

Led by Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, their PRICE Transparency Act comes after a judge recently struck down an industry challenge to the new rule, set to take effect in January 2021. 

The agency said it hopes to control unnecessary increases in the volume of certain imaging-based services, while also protecting the Medicare Trust Fund from improper payments. 

Across all types of doctors, this shortfall may reach as high as 139,000, the Association of American Medical Colleges reported in its sixth annual analysis of staffing trends. 

The agency specifically mentions three big names in imaging staffing—Radiology Partners, Mednax and Envision Healthcare—which have all seen their credit ratings downgraded at least once since the pandemic’s start. 

Summit Imaging is asking a Washington judge to toss legal accusations brought forth by the industry giant last year. 

Radiology Business recently spent a few minutes with Matt Devine, president of the Florida physician firm's imaging division, discussing the factors that influenced the decision and what comes next. 

Businessman Maury Rosenberg had sought to collect legal damages from the Minneapolis lender, after it forced his National Medical Imaging into insolvency for defaulting on radiology equipment leases.