Faced with medical cuts in reimbursement, every labs need the
assess whether to venture into investing in a CTA machine on its own, with
other groups, or with hospitals. CTA clearly is a new technology with fancy
pictures, yet it has to fit within the financial constrain of the investing
group. The largest risk is early on as the initial inverstenent for the
equipment and staff is high with little turnover in patients. In order to stay
financially sound, the scanner must be made available to scan non coronary
cases , such as peripheral vascular cases. Below is are barriers that can
impact the finances of a CTA lab.
- Equipment and space renovation is expensive
- Historically there has been rapid depreciation in equipment value
- rapid technology changer ,often leaving prior generation scanner without purpose
- currently , limited referral population
- problems getting paid
- Current CMS rates low relative to cost and work
- Can negative impact other imaging programs
One key factor is and ongoing
evolution of CT technology, Such as the type of reimbursement issues are
dynamic and hopefully will resolve in the nease future. The development of a
robust CTA program is an exciting endeavor that requires insight not only in
the technological features but also in business aspect ogf the programs.
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