American College of Radiology Sets Up AI Economics Committee

The American College of Radiology (ACR) is launching an Artificial Intelligence Economics Committee to help consolidate available resources and develop financial strategies to address development and deployment of radiologic AI tools. The committee will specifically address Medicare, Medicaid and private insurance coverage and reimbursement for AI tools used in radiologic care.

“The ACR has long been at the forefront of navigating the intricate and rapidly evolving imaging artificial intelligence landscape,” said Gregory N. Nicola, M.D., chair of the ACR Commission on Economics, in a statement. “Many ACR commissions and volunteers have dedicated themselves to scenario planning, federal rulemaking response, and collaborating with government and multi-specialty thought leaders on how to bring this impactful technology to the bedside of our patients. The Artificial Intelligence Economics Committee will enable us to consolidate resources across the college by bringing together a diverse range of expertise to continue this vital work.”

The new committee will be chaired by Frank J. Rybicki, M.D., Ph.D., who also serves as chair of the Department of Radiology at Banner University Medical Group and University of Arizona - Phoenix.

The committee will have approximately 10 members expert in relevant medical-economic areas – including:
• Medicare and Medicaid Payment schedules (MPFS and HOPPS)
• AMA/Specialty Society Relative Value Scale Update Committee (RUC)
• CPT code development and implementation
• Informatics and the ACR Data Science Institute
• Computer Science and applications of Convolutional Neural Networks


“Radiologic AI challenges and opportunities are significant,” said Rybicki in a statement.
“Developing an AI economic strategy – including revenue cycle and reinvestment in the best technologies – will require the dedication and expertise of ACR volunteer radiologists, staff, allied professionals, patients and their advocates. I look forward to leading this effort.”

Christina Berry, ACR Team Lead on Economic Policy, will serve as lead staff for the new committee – which will interact with member volunteers and staff in many areas of the College – including the ACR Informatics Commission, the ACR Government Relations and Quality and Safety departments, and the ACR Data Science Institute.

“The ACR Data Science Institute convenes imaging AI users and thought leaders through our DSI Summit and year-round events, while our ARCH-AI and ASSESS-AI programs help practices safely implement and monitor imaging AI,” said Christoph Wald, M.D., Ph.D., M.B.A., vice chair of the ACR Board of Chancellors and chair of the ACR Commission on Informatics, in a statement. “We are eager to inform AI economic strategy with real-world insights from these previous landmark ACR initiatives.”