The Pursuit of Value in Musculoskeletal Imaging: Policy and Clinical Practice Intersect

Rapidly rising health care costs coupled with variability in pricing and patient service have led to intense public scrutiny and pressure for health care providers to demonstrate value. Recent changes in legislation and payment models have intensified a shift from volume-based to value-based care, transferring risk from payers to providers. The American College of Radiology's Imaging 3.0 initiative encourages radiologists to become leaders in this changing health care landscape, helping to redefine value relative to health outcomes that matter to patients. Finding value and areas for improvement can prove difficult. However, through the imaging value chain, a plethora of opportunities are easily identifiable. It will be critical for musculoskeletal radiologists to leverage information technology and develop meaningful metrics to assess and demonstrate imaging's contribution to improved patient outcomes and reduction in costs, and to advocate for appropriate reimbursement.