Survey Of Independent Imaging Centers Reveals That Diagnostic Radiology Networks Play A Critical Role In Channeling Patients

Main Category: Radiology / Nuclear Medicine
Article Date: 24 Jun 2009 - 0:00 PDT

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A survey of 140 independent imaging centers across the United States reveals that diagnostic radiology specialty networks play a critical role in channeling patients to imaging centers for both workers' compensation and health insurance patients.

The survey, conducted by Lead Generation Solutions and commissioned by One Call Medical, the nation's leader in diagnostic radiology, found that these specialty networks are responsible for directing 44 percent of workers' compensation patients seen by the imaging centers, and for 18 percent of patients with health insurance. Without the specialized intervention that these networks provide, workers' compensation patients may end up at a more costly uncredentialed facility that is not part of a managed network.

"The survey reveals a new and important trend-that diagnostic radiology specialty networks are now referring a significant and growing portion of the patients who require advanced radiology services," said Don Duford, President and COO of One Call Medical. "Our providers also receive significant value in terms of a higher volume of referrals, and prompt payment."

The study surveyed imaging centers on their level of awareness of the various diagnostic radiology networks. One Call Medical was identified as having the highest level of awareness in the workers' compensation arena, by a factor of more than three times that of the nearest competitor. In the group health space, a segment recently entered by One Call Medical, its awareness is equivalent to one of the largest firms already established in this sector.

The study also polled imaging centers on the most valued attributes of a scheduling center, and asked respondents to rank the specialty networks according to these criteria:

- Clear contract and service requirements
- Good provider service, which made the network easy to work with
- Timely and accurate payments
- Delivering increased patient volume

In every service category, One Call Medical received the highest ratings.

"One Call Medical strives to provide our radiologists with outstanding benefits, including more patients, prompt payment, and ongoing marketing opportunities," noted Duford. "As a result, we're gratified to see strong and positive perceptions of the value we deliver to the provider community. One especially critical perception that providers appreciate is prompt and accurate payments: we pay our providers within contractual terms without fail, even if we have not received payment from the payer. In the few instances where there is a question on payment, we aggressively respond to ensure clarity and satisfaction. These positive relationships with our providers enable us to deliver high quality, cost-effective services to payers. Imaging centers not only experience an increased number of referrals, but they also eliminate collection problems that occur with other claims, a significant benefit in these economic times."

Source
One Call Medical, Inc.