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.