Radiology, Vol 194, 365-371, Copyright © 1995 by Radiological Society of North America
Professional and business characteristics of radiology groups in the United States: 1992
JH Sunshine and S Bansal
American College of Radiology, Reston, VA 22091.
PURPOSE: In response to requests, to present information on the
professional and business characteristics of radiology groups. MATERIALS
AND METHODS: The American College of Radiology surveyed a stratified random
sample of radiology groups, defining radiology group as any practice with
two or more radiologists or radiation oncologists, including academic
departments, units in multispecialty groups, and staff of government
facilities. The 465 responses (69% response rate) were weighted so the data
show what findings would have been if all radiology groups in the country
had responded. RESULTS: ACR professional standards are widely used,
particularly those for mammography and radiation oncology. Seventy-eight
percent of groups required continuing training of their technologists. On
average, groups required 2.7 years for new members to become full partners.
The average group gave full-time radiologists 11 holidays, 26 vacation
days, and 11 days for continuing medical education each year. On average,
groups collected 71% of total billings. Net collections (after "allowances"
for Blue Shield, Medicare, and other payers are deducted from billings)
averaged 86%; half of services were provided by groups with net collection
rates of 90% or more. CONCLUSION: In general, changes since 1989 (when the
previous Group Practice Survey was conducted) were small.
