Cardiovascular Business - May/June 2008 - (Page 27)

“if i had a practice in which there were no reimbursement restrictions, then it would make absolute economic and clinical sense for me to look to SPeCT/CT.” Stephen Weiss, mD, West Side Cardiology, N.y. CT. The problem is that you have these other issues that make a reasonable and valid medical decision a potential economic problem for the private practitioner,” Weiss says. For example, some academic centers or teaching hospitals can use the hybrid imaging technology and not be concerned with reimbursement since they have other resources available—grant money or research funds—to offset losses. “But if you are in private practice, the unfortunate reality is that you have to focus on doing what your market will reimburse you for,” Weiss says. patient management, however, more often than not outweighs these costs, he adds. Additional economic justifications—or lack thereof—fall under the realm of reimbursement. Currently, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has no reimbursement policy regarding hardware or software fusion of SPECT/CT data for anatomic localization and the hybrid modality has no CPT Cost-effectiveness vs. cost and reimbursement “Cost-effectiveness is an artificial construct,” according to Kim Allan Williams, MD, director of nuclear cardiology at the University of Chicago. Trying to determine the economic benefits to SPECT/CT for cardiac disease detection is difficult, since the cost to do the two tests are different than the charges, and the charges are different than the reimbursements. “To speak of SPECT/CT cost-effectiveness assumes you know some of these variables, which we really do not since the data are lacking,” Williams adds. Figuring out the cost-effectiveness of SPECT/CT for cardiac disease detection will happen once there is significant appropriateness data available on which patients will benefit from it. “Once you have that, you have to then have prospective studies to look at outcomes and make sure the outcomes with SPECT/ CT are better than with CT or SPECT alone,” Williams says. “Then you can find out the select population that is benefiting from the combination—whether or not it is changing patient management.” The actual cost of the equipment must be examined when trying to look at whether the modality is cost-effective. The hybrid imaging modalities typically cost between $1.5 million and $2 million dollars, depending on particular siting needs. That is anywhere from four to seven times more than a single camera model. “Because of room renovation, equipment cost, and additional training, SPECT/CT does not always translate into financial benefits,” Chong says. The information provided with these tests for eCardio Diagnostics is a rapidly growing industry leading medical company that provides a unique, new technology and service that allows doctors to monitor Patient’s hearts at home and as they go about their normal lives. The goal: faster detection and treatment of difficult-to-diagnose cardiac problems. eCardio is currently seeking a leader to plan and manage the growth and services in our 24 hour Monitoring Center in Houston, TX. The company is looking for the right individual who has the creativity and independent thinking to further eCardio’s reputation as a company driven by customer service. Responsibilities • Interact with clients, patients and senior level management • Problem solving of client and patient service issues • Educate patients about service and monitor use • Receive, edit and analyze patient EKG transmissions • Evaluate EKG for notification criteria • Facilitate activation of EMS, if indicated • Document actions • Facilitate orders for monitors and supplies • Follow all policies, procedures and processes • Ability to multitask without interruption in work flow • Other duties as required Required Education, Training, Experience: • Bachelors Degree or five plus years in a hospital or clinical setting as a Telemetry Technician • Three or more years supervisory experience in a hospital, clinical setting or pertinent business setting • CCT certification or Paramedic/EMT with current ACLS or the ability to sit for Certified Cardiographic Technologist exam • Formal EKG Analysis training with certificate • Excellent Customer Service skills • Excellent knowledge of computer and keyboard • Knowledge of cardiac related terminology Please send résumé and cover letter to HR@eCardio.com. ecardio.com CardiovascularBusiness.com Cardiovascular Business 27 http://www.ecardio.com http://www.ecardio.com http://CardiovascularBusiness.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Cardiovascular Business - May/June 2008

Cardiovascular Business - May/June 2008 Contents First Word Cover Story - Coronary CTA: Drafting the Strategic Plan Financing New Technologies: Early Adopters, Lease vs. Purchase, and Joint Ventures Clinical Study Digest: ACE or ARB: It's Your Choice Can Off-Hour D2B Times Be Reduced Without Breaking the Bank? Digital Image Management Primer: Integrating Echo SPECT/CT for Cardiac Disease Detection: An Economic Conundrum Integrating the Healthcare Enterprise Connects IT Systems News & Views Calendar Reader's Resources The Back Page

Cardiovascular Business - May/June 2008

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