Tuesday, February 26, 2019
UNC REX Healthcare and Wake Radiology are joining forces to improve access to specialized imaging services and reduce costs for thousands of patients a year.
The two organizations announced plans in 2017 to form a joint venture that would combine their outpatient imaging services. That partnership became official as of Feb. 23. Wake Radiology UNC REX Healthcare now operates 14 outpatient imaging offices in communities throughout the greater Triangle area, with plans for future expansion.
Most locations will provide comprehensive, diagnostic imaging services such as MRIs, CT scans, X-rays, ultrasounds and more -- greatly expanding access to advanced medical imaging in an outpatient setting. All of the combined locations will also offer 3D mammography, an advanced technology for detecting breast cancer at its earliest possible stage.
For many patients, the partnership means they will no longer be required to go to the hospital for medical imaging that can be done in an outpatient setting. That shift will reduce patients’ costs approximately $7 million a year by eliminating hospital-based fees.
“We want to be a leader in value-based care and finding new ways to keep health-care costs down,” said Steve Burriss, president of UNC REX. “We believe that this partnership with Wake Radiology will bring great benefits for our patients and our community.”
Wake Radiology is the oldest and largest outpatient imaging provider in the Triangle. Its nearly 50 radiologists are organized in clinical teams trained in specific subspecialties such as breast imaging, sports and orthopedic imaging, interventional radiology and vein therapy, neuroradiology, pediatric imaging, and chest, abdomen and pelvis imaging.
The Wake Radiology UNC REX Healthcare partnership will improve the coordination and delivery of medical imaging services by providing faster access to imaging and reports desired by referring physicians, by reducing the need for duplicate exams, and by making outpatient imaging more convenient for patients.
“We are proud to partner with UNC REX to improve access to advanced diagnostic imaging for all patients in our area,” said Dr. Lyndon K. Jordan III, President of Wake Radiology. “Our physicians and staff are excited be a part of this partnership as we strive to enhance service through specialized radiology and value-based, compassionate care.”
Starting Feb. 23, all patients who receive imaging at the partnership’s outpatient offices will now see Wake Radiology UNC REX Healthcare on all patient and provider correspondence.
