Premier Cardiologists Are Improving Patient Care and Driving Revenue with PET/CT Scanning and Coronary CTA
As technology evolves, leading cardiology practices are recognizing a significant opportunity to enhance patient care and grow their business by leveraging the latest diagnostic and treatment techniques. Cardiology practices that join the CVL platform gain access to the financial resources to invest in these innovative offerings, making them more competitive in the markets they serve.
Two Technologies Transforming Cardiovascular Care
Cardiologists have various options at their disposal to evaluate patients at risk of cardiovascular disease and those who have experienced an event, driven by a surge in innovations. PET/CT scanners and coronary CT angiography (coronary CTA) with plaque analysis are among the most effective technology-enabled solutions on cardiologists’ radar.
PET/CT scanning provides a high degree of specificity in evaluating patients to determine if they’re experiencing ischemia (a lack of blood flow or oxygen to the heart or brain) due to atherosclerosis or an artery blockage. By combining radioisotopes with CT scanning, this technology provides very specific details about the patient’s heart function at rest and under stress.
Rather than perform an invasive diagnostic angiogram on patients who exhibit symptoms such as shortness of breath or chest pain, the cardiologist can use the less invasive PET/CT scan to evaluate their condition accurately. The resulting data then informs the physician whether the patient can be managed with risk factor modification, medical therapy, or interventional therapy.
Coronary CTA is becoming more prevalent as a preventive tool, especially for patients presenting with chest pain not severe enough to warrant an immediate angiogram. This non-invasive technique combines an injected contrast material and CT scanning to examine the coronary arteries and blood vessels for signs of narrowing.
Though cardiologists have used this technique for decades, it’s more powerful today, thanks to AI-enabled plaque analysis. Pairing coronary CTA with plaque analysis empowers cardiologists to assess a patient’s risk based on the quantity and characteristics of their plaque. For example, lipid-rich necrotic plaque is more likely to rupture and cause a cardiovascular event like a heart attack or stroke. Equipped with this information, the cardiologist can create a customized treatment plan designed to prevent future cardiovascular events.
Better Care, Higher Reimbursement
Advanced imaging technologies such as PET/CT scanning and coronary CTA combined with plaque analysis can enhance patient care when utilized in accordance with American College of Cardiology guidelines. Improved diagnostic techniques lead to earlier disease detection and treatment, resulting in better clinical outcomes for patients at risk of the leading cause of death in US adults.
These technologies also enhance cardiology practices’ revenue streams and reimbursement, providing financial stability and improving profitability. Though many large academic centers and hospital systems offer these technologies in-house, it’s less common for private cardiology practices. Those that can invest in these technologies are rewarded with a stronger competitive advantage and higher growth.
PET/CT scanning has a high return on investment (ROI) because it’s generally well reimbursed. While the specific rate varies based on the geographic market and payer mix (whether it skews more toward commercial vs. Medicare or Medicaid), PET/CT reimbursement averages $2,500- $3,000 per study. So, while the equipment and supplies are costly, the additional revenue can more than justify the expense.
With the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently assigning a new CPT code for coronary CTA, incorporating plaque characterization and quantification for the first time, cardiologists will also see higher reimbursements for this service. In fact, five of the seven Medicare insurance carriers recently announced they will begin reimbursing for plaque analysis, a clear indicator of its growing acceptance.
One limiting factor in the use of PET/CT scanning is the availability of skilled technicians. While the cardiologist supervises the procedure and analyzes the results, in some states the tests are performed by technologists certified in CT scanning or nuclear medicine, which are in short supply. Labor is also a constraint for coronary CTA, which requires nurses who can educate patients on the associated risks and help mitigate them during the procedure. Another potential limitation is the need for proper architectural engineering to ensure the facility can support the weight of the necessary equipment.
Join the Platform That Enables Technology Innovation
Premier cardiology practices understand that innovative technologies and service offerings are vital to improving patient care and building a thriving, profitable business. They also recognize that investing in these solutions is challenging for most private practices. That’s just one reason top-tier practices are joining CVL, the national platform with the experience, expertise, and resources to stay on the cutting edge of technology and transform cardiovascular care delivery.
Thanks to our scale and ability to leverage group purchasing power, every CVL practice has the equipment and staffing to perform PET/CT scanning at all their office locations. Nearly all our practices offer coronary CTA in the office setting, many pairing it with plaque analysis—a service we believe will soon become the standard in preventive cardiology. As part of a large national platform, CVL practices also find it easier to compete for scarce medical talent, ensuring they have the staff to support these innovative services.
CVL continually invests in innovations that advance cardiovascular medicine and improve patient care, which is consistent with our mission: to provide patients with the highest quality cardiovascular care available. This approach also aligns with one of our five core pledges—to ensure the best means of diagnosing and treating patients through technology superiority.
Contact CVL to learn how partnering with our platform can help elevate your practice and enable you to deliver the highest quality patient care.
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