Questions to ask now that will help you avoid conflict later!

Don’t be afraid of contracts! Your teleradiology contract is there to help clarify expectations of all parties. When everything is spelled out clearly ahead of time, you can avoid surprises, unexpected costs and contention. If you have a clear, well-defined teleradiology contract, you’re on the right track for a good relationship with your teleradiology provider. Here are some commonly overlooked questions that you should consider:

1)      Who is paying for credentialing? Some teleradiology providers will take on this cost, or a portion of it, and others do not. Whatever your arrangement is – it should be clear from the very beginning.

2)      How many teleradiologists will be put on the medical staff? What if your teleradiology provider wants to credential all 50 radiologists they have on staff? It could happen! These costs can add up quickly. If you know this up front, there won’t be any surprises later.

3)      Can I cancel teleradiology services if the company isn’t meeting my needs?You should have a 60-90 day “Get Out Clause” just in case major issues arise. At ONRAD, we believe we should always be earning the business of our customers and we don’t want them stuck in a long term contract that isn’t meeting their needs.

Teleradiology Prices

What you need to know before you sign a contract for teleradiology services:

1)      How will CT A/P studies be billed? Many teleradiology providers bill CT A/P studies at 1.5 times the CT rate. However, not all providers offer this combined rate. Over time, this will add up to a significant savings.

2)      Can your prices change? Some contracts allow the teleradiology provider to change the pricing structure with a 30 day notice. Be sure your prices are locked in for the duration of the contract. However, you shouldn’t lock in your prices for more than a year. The industry changes fast. You may be able to negotiate better rates after one year.

3)      Are you sure you’re getting the quality you deserve?We know you’ve heard it a million times but the old saying “you get what you pay for” is true. The lowest price isn’t always the best choice. Be wary of companies with dramatically reduced rates. Ask for data on the radiologists and take a close look at their education, previous record and quality statistics. Accreditation by the Joint Commission is a good mark of quality to check for. You may also ask where the radiologists will be reading from – in the United States or from overseas. If the radiologists will be reading from overseas, that could present challenges for your group in the future.

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