Final interpretations, or “final reads”, can’t be offered by every teleradiology company. Excalibur’s board-certified radiologists are Joint-Commission accredited and reside in the United States. Our team of radiologists can provide structured reporting which can be used as final reports based on the needs or preference of a heath system, radiology practice or medical imaging facility.

“Does your company provide final interpretations?”

…should be one of the first questions you ask a potential teleradiology provider. Read our “10 Important Things to Consider at Teleradiology Contract Renewal Time” for a full list of how to evaluate and choose the right remote diagnostic imaging provider for your health system, facility or group.

The Top 3 Benefits of Final Interpretations:

1. Clinical cost-savings: Streamline billing processes to patients and insurance companies
2. Operational efficiency: There is less administrative work, less overreading reports
3. Quality: Final interpretations of medical exams through teleradiology provide comprehensive reporting that can be available 24/7.

Why do we need final reads?

There is a fourth consideration covered in a more recent blog post, “USA-Based Teleradiology: Location Still Matters in 2024:” Medicare qualification. For remote diagnostic interpretations, “Generally, Medicare will not pay for health care or supplies that are performed outside the United States (U.S.).”¹ Therefore, U.S.-based final reads, from Medicare’s viewpoint, are necessary in most circumstances.

Find out how Excalibur can maximize efficiency and optimize cost-savings to help your practice with final interpretations for diagnostic imaging. Advances in technology make final reads a more preferable choice. Not only will there be the benefits described above, but technology also has made it possible for teleradiologists to meet the structured reporting needs of an on-site radiology department

Movement toward final reads has now been many years in the making.² Many facilities have either switched or are eliminating the process of preliminary reads. Today, with AI (Artificial Intelligence) and integration of multiple platforms that interface for digital archiving and speed of reporting has changed perspectives from radiologists, healthcare executives and providers.

Final reads are standard for teleradiology companies, such as Excalibur Healthcare, where our teleradiologists read and provide final interpretations which can be used as final reports based on the needs or preference of a facility.

According to Arthur J. Greene, MD/Founder of Excalibur Healthcare, “We have been providing final reads for more than 20 years. The advancement in technology and expertise of our physicians result in maximum efficient outcomes. We directly interface with hospitals and imaging facilities to be cost-effective and ensure patients get comprehensive interpretations with every exam.”

If you find that your current teleradiology provider isn’t providing final interpretations, or serving your needs 100%, contact Excalibur. Our team will provide you with a customized teleradiology solution, designed to solve your unique challenges.

Sources

1. https://www.cms.gov/regulations-and-guidance/guidance/manuals/downloads/clm104c13.pdf Medicare Claims Processing Manual, Chapter 13 – Radiology Services and Other Diagnostic Procedures ↩︎
2. Final Days for Preliminary Reads? — Not Completely, but Teleradiology Is Moving Toward Final Reads By Beth W. Orenstein Radiology Today Vol. 14 No. 5 P. 26 ↩︎