Month: October 2022

RBMA Executive Director Bob Still decries Medicare cuts that would ‘damage the health of the American people’

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WASHINGTON – October 20, 2022 – (Newswire.com)

A new study of current or eligible Medicare recipients conducted on behalf of the Radiology Patient Action Network shows that nearly half of women indicate that they have not received a mammogram in the last three years. Conducting and released during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the study also found that 80 percent of Americans are concerned with proposed cuts to Medicare, and 90 percent of Americans view maintaining Medicare coverage as important.

“As policymakers continue to propose cuts to Medicare, it is clear any new cuts would worsen health inequities and damage the health of the American people,” said Bob Still, Executive Director of the RBMA. “At a time when patients are already having difficulty receiving the care they need — like mammography screenings proven to detect and prevent breast cancer — members of Congress should take note of these findings and protect Medicare.”

Dr. Kellie Schenk, a board-certified diagnostic radiologist with EPIC Imaging, PC, in Oregon and Imaging for a Cause participant, underscored the severity of the survey’s mammography findings. “Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women and, if not caught and treated early, can be disfiguring and deadly. We recommend average-risk women receive mammography screenings every year beginning at age 40 and high-risk women talk to their doctor about screenings prior to 40 to increase the chances of early detection, which not only saves lives but makes treatment much easier and less disruptive for patients and their families. It is alarming that nearly half of Medicare-aged women haven’t received their annual mammogram given the benefits of screening in this age group, and we encourage them to get one scheduled as soon as possible. It is clear that further cuts to Medicare providers and vital screening services would only exacerbate this issue by limiting appointments and compromising quality of care.”

In addition to survey respondents’ concern for Medicare cuts and lack of mammography screenings, 1 in 4 current patients reported having difficulty scheduling doctors’ appointments due to delays or rescheduling. Almost half of all respondents said they would be less likely to support a member of Congress if they advocate for cuts.

The survey was conducted Sept. 25 through Sept. 27, 2022. The national survey sample consists of 1,632 Americans either enrolled in Medicare or Medicare-eligible. Margin of Error is +/-2.5% with a 95% level of confidence. The study was jointly sponsored by the Medical Imaging and Technology Alliance (MITA), Imaging for a Cause, and the Radiology Business Management Association (RBMA) and conducted by the Remington Research Group.

About Imaging for a Cause

Imaging for a Cause Foundation (ICF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit foundation that coordinates communication between imaging centers and Federally Qualified Community Health Centers. It has a decade-long history of fostering charitable care for thousands of patients, from Virginia to Minnesota to Washington State.

About MITA

The Medical Imaging & Technology Alliance (MITA), a division of NEMA, is the collective voice of medical imaging equipment manufacturers, innovators, and product developers. It represents companies whose sales comprise more than 90 percent of the global market for advanced medical imaging technology. For more information, visit www.medicalimaging.org. 

About RBMA

The Radiology Business Management Association (RBMA) is an industry-leading organization comprised of more than 2,100 professionals who focus on the business of radiology. RBMA members support diagnostic imaging, interventional radiology and radiation oncology providers in the full spectrum of practice settings. RBMA connects members nationwide to valuable information, education, and practice-related resources and serves as an authoritative industry voice on behalf of shared member interests.

Contact Information:

Will Sweet

RBMA
[email protected]

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Newswire.com

Original Source:

RBMA’s Radiology Patient Action Network Study Shows Nearly Half of Women Not Receiving Recommended Mammograms

Talkiatry’s implementation of Cedar Pay brings a consumer-focused payment experience to a national patient base

NEW YORK – October 20, 2022 – (Newswire.com)

Talkiatry, a leading provider of high-quality, in-network psychiatric care and one of the largest employers of psychiatrists in the United States, announced today that it has partnered with Cedar, an enterprise healthcare engagement platform that improves the end-to-end consumer financial journey, to enhance the online billing experience for its rapidly expanding patient base. 

Launched in 2020, Talkiatry is increasing the accessibility and affordability of high-quality psychiatric care. In network with over 60 major insurance plans, Talkiatry also conducts virtual visits that make it easy for patients to be seen. Talkiatry’s practice employs hundreds of psychiatrists from diverse backgrounds across a range of specialties—from child and adolescent to adult to geriatric—and uses proprietary technology to personalize care and improve outcomes in previously unachievable ways. 

“In psychiatry, billing has long been a challenge for patients,” said Robert Krayn, Talkiatry’s co-founder and CEO. “It’s opaque and complex, and 45% of psychiatrists don’t even accept insurance. We’re changing that. We want our patients to focus on their health, not on trying to decipher confusing statements, and Cedar is an important part of how we use technology to improve the patient experience.”

Cedar Pay, Cedar’s post-visit patient engagement and payment platform, delivers a more streamlined patient financial journey and eases the consumer burden of paying for healthcare. Through Cedar Pay, Talkiatry will be able to empower their national patient base to better manage their healthcare bills through consumer-friendly statements, optimized outreach and flexible payment options. 

“It is often difficult for Americans to access mental health treatment, due to factors like cost of care and lack of in-network providers,” said Florian Otto, Cedar’s co-founder and CEO. “At Cedar, our mission is simple: empower people to easily and affordably pursue the care they need, and we are looking forward to partnering with our first psychiatry provider, Talkiatry, as they enhance their digital strategy to meet patients where they are. And, with a simplified payments experience, their psychiatry providers will be able to focus on providing the best quality care.” 

Cedar Pay is now live and available for Talkiatry’s patients. 

About Talkiatry
Talkiatry is a national mental health practice that provides in-network psychiatry and therapy. They were co-founded by a patient and a triple-board-certified psychiatrist to solve the problems both groups face in accessing and providing the highest quality mental healthcare. 60% of adults in the U.S. with a diagnosable mental illness go untreated every year because care is inaccessible, while 45% of clinicians are out of network with insurers because reimbursement rates are low and paperwork is unduly burdensome. With innovative technology and a human-centered philosophy, Talkiatry provides patients with the care they need—and allows psychiatrists to focus on why they got into medicine. Learn more at www.talkiatry.com and follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

About Cedar
Cedar is committed to improving the healthcare billing experience for all. With an innovative platform that connects providers and payers, Cedar empowers healthcare consumers with a personalized journey—all powered by data science and interactive design. For Cedar clients, this leads to increased payments, more efficient operations and greater consumer loyalty. To learn more about why leading U.S. healthcare organizations trust Cedar to manage the end-to-end payments experience from pre-registration to post-visit billing, visit www.cedar.com and join us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and YouTube.

Contact Information:

Jenny Fiegoli

Cedar
[email protected]

Hirsch Leatherwood

Talkiatry
[email protected]

Press Release Service
by
Newswire.com

Original Source:

One of America’s Largest Employers of Psychiatrists, Talkiatry, Partners With Cedar to Enhance Patients’ Financial Experience

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