The cost of medical care has skyrocketed in this country. Government-supported insurance programs have done nothing but exacerbate this issue while providing fewer services to patients. In an effort to control the cost of care, many private doctors and even some hospitals have begun to utilize teleradiology services.
Everyone who has ever read a hospital bill has seen the radiology entry in the itemization of charges. Few really understand what the term means, or they believe it applies only to x-rays obtained during a hospital visit. MRIs, CAT scans, and CT scans are all examples of radiological examinations, and all of these require an expert to evaluate the images in order to come to proper diagnosis or treatment.
Private medical offices have always had to send x-rays as well as lab specimens to an offsite facility for review. Patients mistakenly believe the doctors themselves review their x-ray because it is usually their doctor who discusses it with them. However, the lack of radiology on staff in most local medical facilities is the reason why so many patients must be transferred to area hospitals, even when their condition is not life-threatening.
These small practices are generally not big and rich enough to be able to afford on-site radiologists. Even area hospitals are not always able to support such an expensive service considering radiologists can charge up to $1,500.00 per day for their presence in the hospital environment. However, having such a professional available to evaluate certain tests is a requirement for providing proper medical care.
Ultrasound radiologists often work in a vacuum, as OB doctors are one of the few local medical practices that are likely to keep a radiologist on hand. However, ultrasounds involve the live miniature human in motion factor, and this means getting proper measurements and evaluations done in real time can be difficult. In instances where they see something that seems off to them, they are now able to access a second-opinion while the patient is on the radiology table.
This is great news for pregnant mothers, patients with multiple fractures or internal injuries, or even cardiac patients. Time is of the essence in many of these cases. By having the results of internal imaging available right away, other specialists can be brought in more quickly to perform life-saving surgeries, or any other procedures before additional damage can occur to the body while they wait.
Online radiology services mean real-time evaluations can be done at smaller facilities or small-town hospitals. It also means expert evaluation is there for those in third world countries, or anyone being assisted by the Doctors Without Borders ship. The radiologists themselves are on-call for long periods of time, but they are otherwise able to live where they like, and can sometimes even work from home.
Most services charge the hospitals or doctors offices on a per-image basis rather than charging by the day. This brings the cost of such a specialist from $1,000.00 per day to as little as $10.00 per image. Patients should be aware of this, and be watchful of what their radiology bills are coming to in order to avoid being overcharged for services that are not costing the medical facility near what they might try to bill you for.
Everyone who has ever read a hospital bill has seen the radiology entry in the itemization of charges. Few really understand what the term means, or they believe it applies only to x-rays obtained during a hospital visit. MRIs, CAT scans, and CT scans are all examples of radiological examinations, and all of these require an expert to evaluate the images in order to come to proper diagnosis or treatment.
Private medical offices have always had to send x-rays as well as lab specimens to an offsite facility for review. Patients mistakenly believe the doctors themselves review their x-ray because it is usually their doctor who discusses it with them. However, the lack of radiology on staff in most local medical facilities is the reason why so many patients must be transferred to area hospitals, even when their condition is not life-threatening.
These small practices are generally not big and rich enough to be able to afford on-site radiologists. Even area hospitals are not always able to support such an expensive service considering radiologists can charge up to $1,500.00 per day for their presence in the hospital environment. However, having such a professional available to evaluate certain tests is a requirement for providing proper medical care.
Ultrasound radiologists often work in a vacuum, as OB doctors are one of the few local medical practices that are likely to keep a radiologist on hand. However, ultrasounds involve the live miniature human in motion factor, and this means getting proper measurements and evaluations done in real time can be difficult. In instances where they see something that seems off to them, they are now able to access a second-opinion while the patient is on the radiology table.
This is great news for pregnant mothers, patients with multiple fractures or internal injuries, or even cardiac patients. Time is of the essence in many of these cases. By having the results of internal imaging available right away, other specialists can be brought in more quickly to perform life-saving surgeries, or any other procedures before additional damage can occur to the body while they wait.
Online radiology services mean real-time evaluations can be done at smaller facilities or small-town hospitals. It also means expert evaluation is there for those in third world countries, or anyone being assisted by the Doctors Without Borders ship. The radiologists themselves are on-call for long periods of time, but they are otherwise able to live where they like, and can sometimes even work from home.
Most services charge the hospitals or doctors offices on a per-image basis rather than charging by the day. This brings the cost of such a specialist from $1,000.00 per day to as little as $10.00 per image. Patients should be aware of this, and be watchful of what their radiology bills are coming to in order to avoid being overcharged for services that are not costing the medical facility near what they might try to bill you for.
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You can get a summary of the things to consider before picking a provider of teleradiology services at http://www.spot-on-radiologist.com/services right now.
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