Feature
Independent opportunities
SIR updates exclusive contracts position statement
contracts and carveouts. The 2015 position statement, which expresses SIR’s support for the rights of independent IRs to gain admitting privileges at hospital systems that hold exclusive contracts with other radiology groups, was updated in May.
S
In the updated statement, SIR stands by the position that in cases where hospitals permit exceptions to exclusive contracts for non-IR physicians performing IR treatments, the same exemption should be provided to
10 IRQ | SUMMER 2023
IR is reaffirming its commitment to independent IRs via an updated position statement on exclusive
independent IRs, so that they may admit and treat patients at those hospitals. Granting independent IRs admitting privileges ensures they are able to practice and that patients have access to high-quality IR care.
“SIR’s updated position statement on exclusive contracts is a huge step forward in the overall vision of why IR became its own specialty over a decade ago, and a good start in modernizing the system to ultimately allow free independent IR practice for those who choose to do so,” said Raj Pyne, MD, FSIR. In the modern IR job landscape, many IRs choose to not be part of a DR/
IR group, and this position statement helps to open that door.
“By leveling the playing field to provide equal footing similar to our surgical counterparts by allowing admitting privileges, it allows expansion of outpatient IR labs, increases competition and the overall level of endovascular care, encourages strong clinical patient-centered care, and gives patients more access to IR. It is a strong statement to support the future of our specialty.”
The challenges of exclusivity Diagnostic radiology practices frequently enter exclusive professional services contracts with their hospitals, with interventional radiology, by default, included under this contractual umbrella. However, nonradiologists are granted exclusions or “carve-outs” to provide treatments covered under the contract. These carve-outs provide an unfair advantage for other specialties to
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40
