What is the top challenge or obstacle facing healthcare today?

One of the biggest challenges facing healthcare today is the complex reimbursement model that is not ethically aligned with good patient care.  The cost of healthcare has been steadily escalating over the years, making it difficult for many people to afford necessary treatments and medications and causing decades of wage stagnation as employers struggle to keep up with the costs of providing healthcare coverage. Insurance companies, hospitals, and private acquisitions of physician practices and facilities are further mal-aligning incentives in the market.

What is the most promising development in healthcare that you have come across, and why?

The most promising development in healthcare is the passing of the Texas House Bill 2002. Texas House Bill 2002 requires the self-pay costs to be applied to an insured patient’s deductible and annual maximum out-of-pocket expense when they access lower-cost out-of-network options. The bill is intended to allow patients to find cost-effective care outside of their plan while still allowing them to contribute to their insurance deductible. Patients in Texas (and Tennessee need not feel trapped by the carrier’s network).

What are the top priorities for your organization this year?

Increasing the locations within Green Imaging’s national network through strategic contracting is a top priority for the upcoming year of 2024. We have a specific focus on adding facilities where we will serve as the radiologists interpreting the exams, which enhances operational efficiency, provides great quality control, and increases accessibility to healthcare services. This furthers our mission of delivering innovative and high-quality healthcare solutions to valued clients where their employees live and work.

What motivates you to keep doing the work that you do?

At Green Imaging, our primary mission is to prioritize the care and well-being of our patients. We are driven by the goal of providing easy, affordable radiology services that are accessible to everyone. Our motto reflects this commitment, as we aim to pass the savings on to employers, enabling them to offer enhanced wages and benefits to their employees. By doing so, we hope to contribute to the overall enrichment of their lives ensuring our patients continue smoothly on their care journey.

What necessary collaborations/partnerships have you established within and/or outside your organization to develop your initiatives?

Green Imaging has forged long-standing relationships with several healthcare entities that share our vision and objectives. We work with nurse navigators, medical management companies, direct care plans, and TPAs (among others) to make sure we fit neatly within the care journey of our clients and their employees and families. It is important to work with these teams to create easy pathways to care.