ACR 2017 The Crossroads of Radiology

ACR2017VM35 - Understanding Costs in Radiology and Healthcare

May 23, 2017 10:00am ‐ May 23, 2017 12:00pm


The purpose of this session will focus on how cost is defined as the surrendering of resources. The cost of imaging is a value that is unique to the person or entity that is surrendering those resources, be they the patient, the radiologist, the healthcare system, the payer, or society as a whole. The concept of cost is often confused with price or charge values, but there is little relationship between these values and cost. This session will directly investigate the sources of confusion and refine the definitions of cost, price, and charge in radiology. Because cost is a critical element in defining value, the methods by which the aforementioned stakeholders of radiology determine and perceive costs will be explored in relation to the perceived value of radiology. Faculty representing diverse stakeholder domains will provide a rich and at times conflicting perspective on understanding the costs of radiology, framing the challenges of establishing radiology's value to diverse stakeholders. Developed in conjunction with Radiology Leadership Institute.

Learning Objectives:

  1. Describe how the cost of imaging can be very different for the same episode of care, depending upon the perspective of who is experiencing the cost.
  2. Discuss how costs are determined and perceived for different stakeholders.
  3. Identify the perspectives of imaging value and cost for key entities across the imaging value chain.
  4. Describe the change of payment policy and structure from fee for service to value based outcomes and it's impact on cost and reimbursement.



  • Geoffrey Rubin, MBA, MD, FACR - Consultant - GE Healthcare|Fovia, Inc.; Stock Options - HeartFlow

  • Danny Hughes, Ph.D - This speaker has nothing to disclose

  • Howard Forman, MBA, MD, FACR - This speaker has nothing to disclose

  • Michael Cuffe, MBA, MD - Stock Options - HCA; Officer, Director - HCA; Salary - HCA

  • Roy Beveridge, MD - Stock Options - Humana; Salary - Humana

  • Lewis Golden, R.T. (R) - This speaker has nothing to disclose
