Hospitals and doctors offices are charging more than ever for their services these days. Government-sponsored programs such as Obamacare was supposed to bring these costs down, but the opposite is what appears to have happened. In an effort to minimize cost to healthcare providers and patients alike, many medical facilities are seeking teleradiology services.
We have all seen radiology bills, both on our itemized charges as well as separate bills that come when we have been in a hospital. Not everyone realizes that radiology encompasses basically all imaging techniques from x-rays to CT scans. Even fewer patients realize that these images are nearly always sent to an off-site location to be evaluated by a properly trained professional.
Private medical offices have always had to send x-rays as well as lab specimens to an offsite facility for review. Patients mistakenly believe the doctors themselves review their x-ray because it is usually their doctor who discusses it with them. However, the lack of radiology on staff in most local medical facilities is the reason why so many patients must be transferred to area hospitals, even when their condition is not life-threatening.
These small practices are generally not big and rich enough to be able to afford on-site radiologists. Even area hospitals are not always able to support such an expensive service considering radiologists can charge up to $1,500.00 per day for their presence in the hospital environment. However, having such a professional available to evaluate certain tests is a requirement for providing proper medical care.
Ultrasound radiologists often work in a vacuum, as OB doctors are one of the few local medical practices that are likely to keep a radiologist on hand. However, ultrasounds involve the live miniature human in motion factor, and this means getting proper measurements and evaluations done in real time can be difficult. In instances where they see something that seems off to them, they are now able to access a second-opinion while the patient is on the radiology table.
This is great news for pregnant mothers, patients with multiple fractures or internal injuries, or even cardiac patients. Time is of the essence in many of these cases. By having the results of internal imaging available right away, other specialists can be brought in more quickly to perform life-saving surgeries, or any other procedures before additional damage can occur to the body while they wait.
This means small town hospitals and doctors offices are providing better services at lower cost than specialty centers. Fewer ambulance rides or Life-Flight trips means less expense is incurred, which actually equates to smaller care centers being able to make more money for their local urgent care center. It also means radiology technicians are able to tele-work, sometimes from home, allowing for a more flexible lifestyle.
These services are charging hospitals by the image rather than by the day, and the savings is measured in the thousands of dollars. It is typical for an image evaluation to be charged at less than $100.00 per image. Patients should know whether or not their hospital is being charged per-image or by the day, and pay close attention to the radiology bills that come in to be certain that the savings is passed on to them.
We have all seen radiology bills, both on our itemized charges as well as separate bills that come when we have been in a hospital. Not everyone realizes that radiology encompasses basically all imaging techniques from x-rays to CT scans. Even fewer patients realize that these images are nearly always sent to an off-site location to be evaluated by a properly trained professional.
Private medical offices have always had to send x-rays as well as lab specimens to an offsite facility for review. Patients mistakenly believe the doctors themselves review their x-ray because it is usually their doctor who discusses it with them. However, the lack of radiology on staff in most local medical facilities is the reason why so many patients must be transferred to area hospitals, even when their condition is not life-threatening.
These small practices are generally not big and rich enough to be able to afford on-site radiologists. Even area hospitals are not always able to support such an expensive service considering radiologists can charge up to $1,500.00 per day for their presence in the hospital environment. However, having such a professional available to evaluate certain tests is a requirement for providing proper medical care.
Ultrasound radiologists often work in a vacuum, as OB doctors are one of the few local medical practices that are likely to keep a radiologist on hand. However, ultrasounds involve the live miniature human in motion factor, and this means getting proper measurements and evaluations done in real time can be difficult. In instances where they see something that seems off to them, they are now able to access a second-opinion while the patient is on the radiology table.
This is great news for pregnant mothers, patients with multiple fractures or internal injuries, or even cardiac patients. Time is of the essence in many of these cases. By having the results of internal imaging available right away, other specialists can be brought in more quickly to perform life-saving surgeries, or any other procedures before additional damage can occur to the body while they wait.
This means small town hospitals and doctors offices are providing better services at lower cost than specialty centers. Fewer ambulance rides or Life-Flight trips means less expense is incurred, which actually equates to smaller care centers being able to make more money for their local urgent care center. It also means radiology technicians are able to tele-work, sometimes from home, allowing for a more flexible lifestyle.
These services are charging hospitals by the image rather than by the day, and the savings is measured in the thousands of dollars. It is typical for an image evaluation to be charged at less than $100.00 per image. Patients should know whether or not their hospital is being charged per-image or by the day, and pay close attention to the radiology bills that come in to be certain that the savings is passed on to them.
About the Author:
You can get a summary of the things to consider before picking a provider of teleradiology services at http://www.spot-on-radiologist.com/services right now.
Posts
Registration of your site
0 commentaires:
Post a Comment