USA-based teleradiology services are best positioned to offer “final read” diagnostic imaging interpretation for clients in the United States.

Are you in search of radiology coverage in any capacity? Excalibur Healthcare, a teleradiology provider established in 2000, performs remote diagnostic imaging interpretation for hospitals, health systems, medical imaging facilities and radiology practices. Request a proposal.

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Location, Location, Location

In recent years, factors like the pandemic, an abundance of affordable tech, and easier remote implementation have caused teleradiology to proliferate. What are the differences between one telerad service and the next? This blog post will focus on the role of geographics and why U.S. location is important when seeking remote diagnostic radiology.

Let’s examine why the location of your teleradiology provider matters. There are technical, qualitative and strategic advantages to working with entirely USA-based teleradiology. If you’re a health system, hospital, or medical imaging provider, where you are on a map can influence how you access radiology support.

Why is it important to have medical imaging read within the U.S.?

CMS Medicare Claims Processing.

This is a very important reason. Not only are U.S. reads important, they are often necessary. The Medicare Claims Processing Manual (cms.gov) states that for remote diagnostic interpretations, “Generally, Medicare will not pay for health care or supplies that are performed outside the United States (U.S.).”¹

Assumptions about outsourced radiology are circulating and may not be accurate.

But there are medical imaging teleradiology providers in India?

Yes. Interpretations provided outside of the United States can offer preliminary reads. But in the absence of a final interpretation, as in one read by a U.S.-based radiologist, preliminary reads can not be substituted for final reads. When medical imaging reports are provided from US-based teleradiology companies, such as Excalibur Healthcare, they can offer final interpretations. If there is no radiologist at the ordering clinician’s facility to provide the final read, U.S. based reports can be used as final, based on the needs or preferences of a facility.

While preliminary reads have their place, clients wishing to be as prepared as possible should find an accomplished teleradiology provider that can offer final reads, to have cost-effective and thorough services appropriate for a broader range of situations.

ABR Board-Certified, Subspecialized Radiologists deliver exceptional care

The knowledge pool of Board-certified, fellowship-trained radiologists in America is deep. Excalibur’s own cadre of radiologists is comprised of highly skilled and experienced radiologists who possess extensive knowledge and expertise in their respective subspecialties. Excalibur radiologists are all Board-certified. We are a Joint-Commissioned accredited provider, so our credentialed radiologists can onboard with our client’s facilities “by proxy.” Let us explain how this can allow for faster implementation of new service.

Compliance with Healthcare Regulations

USA-based teleradiology companies can integrate more seamlessly with existing healthcare systems as fellow U.S. enterprises. We’re all on the same playing field, so to speak. Excalibur, like all USA-based teleradiology company, must always adhere to US regulations and policies when delivering every diagnostic interpretation performed. Our country sets stringent standards for oversight and regulation, including HIPAA compliance. We practice credentialing to the standards of The Joint Commission and quality assurance procedures for ensuring safety, security, and accountable results.

Hiring any U.S. radiologists to read remotely versus partnering with an established teleradiology service, however, is not the same. Providers with administrative experience, such as Excalibur Healthcare, have also spent decades developing a nuanced understanding of telehealth’s fiscal and regulatory issues. Excalibur was founded in Moorestown, NJ in 2000 and is wholly participating in the United States healthcare landscape.

Technology issues favor domestic implementation

Healthcare data breaches have quickly become the costliest of attacks across all economic sectors. Various factors such as laws, compliance practices, and differences in IT governance standards can make make connectivity more complicated across borders. Even if those factors can be addressed, the resulting reports would not be final as per CMS requirements.

Technology improvements now allow off-site radiologists to interface more easily with the facilities for which they read. The good news: teleradiology is becoming more accessible! However, it may be hard to discern the level of healthcare IT and business acumen a new teleradiology vendor might possess, which can hamper implementation, delay billing, possibly even raise compliance issues or compromise security.

A level landscape for pricing comparisons

Teleradiology with CMS-compliant final reads requires USA-based teleradiologists; it is important to seek that distinction out, and then compare apples to apples when seeking new service. Ask for a pay-per-read proposal, and make sure that additional costs, such as implementation fees or monthly maintenance fees, are accounted for.

Excalibur cares about the quality of our work and patient outcomes, and are able to offer interpretations that balance quality with a client’s budgetary considerations.

A comparison of proposals is not complete without reaching out to Excalibur. We have developed relationships with our clients that work. Allow us to discuss what can work for you. Let Excalibur alleviate the burden of staffing shortages, allowing you to focus on what matters most: your patients.

Trusted Partnerships

Founded in 2000, Excalibur Healthcare is approaching 25 years of experience delivering exceptional USA-based teleradiology services. Let us provide you with referrals as testimonials to the level of service we offer. We build partnerships with healthcare providers by consistently exceeding expectations with reliable medical imaging interpretations.

Transparency

Here’s an anecdote from Reddit:

Comment
byu/toolazywittyusername from discussion
inRadiology

A provider’s staffing experiments shouldn’t affect your facility’s care. Prior to contract, it is important to confirm with potential teleradiology providers if they use 100% Board Certified, US-based radiologists.

Conclusion

Here at Excalibur Healthcare, we offer personalized USA-Based teleradiology support with Board-certified radiologists. We offer specialty expertise, needed turnaround times, secure IT, and competitive pricing, allowing your healthcare facility to prioritize patient care. If would like to discuss how we can help strengthen radiology coverage at your health system or facility, please call us at 888-212-4422, or email [email protected].

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 ↩︎

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