Accelerated Instruction. Uncompromised Content.
In economically uncertain times, the best investment you can make is in yourself.
- Warren Buffet
Once, procedures made you money. Now, they make you money and save you time.
Procedures have always been the monetary bedrock of the specialist. They’re leveraged the specialist’s income to four times the level of primary care. But now the ground is shifting--and moving forever--in your direction.
The certification guidelines and credentialing processes put in place in the 1980’s were the beginning, perhaps to narrow the provider playing field. Today these same Standards are the pathway to the future of Primary Care as the United States moves toward an outpatient DRG payer model.
You’re going to be incentivized to do more appropriate measures as your level of patient contact than ever before.
The chance is opening for you to provide better, more efficient care at the first point of patient contact. And bringing in key procedures at this point can save you a lot of time.
Procedures have always been the monetary bedrock of the specialist. They’re leveraged the specialist’s income to four times the level of primary care. But now the ground is shifting--and moving forever--in your direction.
The certification guidelines and credentialing processes put in place in the 1980’s were the beginning, perhaps to narrow the provider playing field. Today these same Standards are the pathway to the future of Primary Care as the United States moves toward an outpatient DRG payer model.
You’re going to be incentivized to do more appropriate measures as your level of patient contact than ever before.
The chance is opening for you to provide better, more efficient care at the first point of patient contact. And bringing in key procedures at this point can save you a lot of time.
Only you can decide how to live your career, but others have set the paths as to how you practice it. If you’re contemplating bringing onboard diagnostic ultrasound, consider our expertise a key strategic ally.
We bring the last forty years of ultrasound technology, clinical and engineering science, and business acumen to the classroom, We know what you need at every turn and we know how to connect you to it. Ultrasound isn’t a procedure; it’s a process. A process you can master.
Working with you in class, and remotely afterward through mentoring support, we’re like having your own live Wikipedia, to help you get the core skills, knowledge, and experience to get you credentialed and ready for your next forty years.
We taught the Specialists decades ago. Now it’s your turn to take your seat in class, and your place at the table.
Visit our public and on-site training courses and contact us.
We bring the last forty years of ultrasound technology, clinical and engineering science, and business acumen to the classroom, We know what you need at every turn and we know how to connect you to it. Ultrasound isn’t a procedure; it’s a process. A process you can master.
Working with you in class, and remotely afterward through mentoring support, we’re like having your own live Wikipedia, to help you get the core skills, knowledge, and experience to get you credentialed and ready for your next forty years.
We taught the Specialists decades ago. Now it’s your turn to take your seat in class, and your place at the table.
Visit our public and on-site training courses and contact us.
Credentialing Facts Briefing
Physicians and Abdominal/Obstetric/Breast Ultrasound
There is presently no Medicare directive requiring sonographer certification as a prerequisite to reimbursement for these procedures. Oregon, New Mexico have state law requiring all sonographers to be credentialed to practice in any field. Other states are considering similar actions. Private insurance carriers may have separate policies.
The American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine has recommended guidelines in place to ensure the highest standard of facility compliance. Learn more.
Physicians and Cardiac Ultrasound
Medicare is evolving its policies state by state; many states already require technologist credentialing as a condition for reimbursement. Physician credentialing is required in some, but not all states as a prerequisite to reimbursement by Medicare. Learn more.
Private payers are adopting more rigorous policies, but uniformity across the nation is still years away; ICAEL posts the most current positions of the nations largest private payers on its site here.
Eventually the entire US will follow suit. The National Board of Echocardiography is currently the only credentialing board for doctors and prerequisites include either cardiovascular board certification or specialized post graduate medical training in cardiovascular medicine, plus interpretation experience.
Physicians and Vascular Ultrasound (all applications)
Medicare has directives throughout the entire United States that require physicians interpreting vascular ultrasound provide evidence of specialized training, specific to the technology. Sonographers performing vascular ultrasound studies must either possess certification un vascular ultrasound or (in some states) perform the exam under the supervision of a certified sonographer.
Inspect your state’s specific Medicare policy for both physicians and technologists here. Private insurance carriers may have different policies. ICAVL no longer posts information from private insurance carriers; you will need to contact them directly for current or pending policy. In general, most require at least 10-15 hours of focused training int the specialty area.
Some states now require formal certification for physicians to read. Most hospitals‘ labs are ICAVL credentialed, which requires reading physicians to have met formal training standards in medical school or informally, by the following
There is presently no Medicare directive requiring sonographer certification as a prerequisite to reimbursement for these procedures. Oregon, New Mexico have state law requiring all sonographers to be credentialed to practice in any field. Other states are considering similar actions. Private insurance carriers may have separate policies.
The American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine has recommended guidelines in place to ensure the highest standard of facility compliance. Learn more.
Physicians and Cardiac Ultrasound
Medicare is evolving its policies state by state; many states already require technologist credentialing as a condition for reimbursement. Physician credentialing is required in some, but not all states as a prerequisite to reimbursement by Medicare. Learn more.
Private payers are adopting more rigorous policies, but uniformity across the nation is still years away; ICAEL posts the most current positions of the nations largest private payers on its site here.
Eventually the entire US will follow suit. The National Board of Echocardiography is currently the only credentialing board for doctors and prerequisites include either cardiovascular board certification or specialized post graduate medical training in cardiovascular medicine, plus interpretation experience.
Physicians and Vascular Ultrasound (all applications)
Medicare has directives throughout the entire United States that require physicians interpreting vascular ultrasound provide evidence of specialized training, specific to the technology. Sonographers performing vascular ultrasound studies must either possess certification un vascular ultrasound or (in some states) perform the exam under the supervision of a certified sonographer.
Inspect your state’s specific Medicare policy for both physicians and technologists here. Private insurance carriers may have different policies. ICAVL no longer posts information from private insurance carriers; you will need to contact them directly for current or pending policy. In general, most require at least 10-15 hours of focused training int the specialty area.
Some states now require formal certification for physicians to read. Most hospitals‘ labs are ICAVL credentialed, which requires reading physicians to have met formal training standards in medical school or informally, by the following
pathway:
• 40+ hours of Category 1 CME specific to vascular testing
within the prior three years, plus
• 8 hours of supervised practical experience or
observation in a credentialed vascular laboratory, and
also
• documentation of 100 cases interpreted and overread by
a credentialed-lab physician, in each specialty area of
application. Learn more.
Only one agency can credential primary care physicians in all areas of vascular ultrasound interpretation. As we noted above, this credential is presently required only in certain states. The American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS) offers the Registered Physician Vascular Interpretation credential; it has a 96% pass rate. Learn more.
Specifically Regarding Facilities Credentialing
Two separate agencies credential echocardiography and vascular laboratory services: ICAEL and ICAVL, respectively. Private offices and hospitals providing vascular ultrasound studies (whether in conjunction with echocardiography or as a standalone service) should be--and will eventually be required to be--credentialed by the appropriate agency.
The entire body of certification guidelines can now be downloaded for free: ICAEL Guidelines and ICAVL Guidelines. The process is still voluntary, and payment is still allowed in non-credentialed labs provided physician and sonographer credentialing criteria have been met. This will likely change by 2012.
Sonographer Credentialing
Three different bodies can credential sonographers in vascular ultrasound: the ARDMS, CCI, or the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists. The ARDMS and CCI credentials are equally recognized by Medicare in all states and territories; they have nearly equal pass/fail rates and test on the same content. The ASRT credential is open only to qualified registered radiologic technologists and is not presently recognized by Medicare in all fifty states.
The prerequisites for the ARDMS and CCI are unique to the various entry-level backgrounds and experience. You can quickly navigate the current prerequisites (always subject to change) with the color-coded charts here.
Our post graduate courses move you closer to all of these goals.
• 40+ hours of Category 1 CME specific to vascular testing
within the prior three years, plus
• 8 hours of supervised practical experience or
observation in a credentialed vascular laboratory, and
also
• documentation of 100 cases interpreted and overread by
a credentialed-lab physician, in each specialty area of
application. Learn more.
Only one agency can credential primary care physicians in all areas of vascular ultrasound interpretation. As we noted above, this credential is presently required only in certain states. The American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS) offers the Registered Physician Vascular Interpretation credential; it has a 96% pass rate. Learn more.
Specifically Regarding Facilities Credentialing
Two separate agencies credential echocardiography and vascular laboratory services: ICAEL and ICAVL, respectively. Private offices and hospitals providing vascular ultrasound studies (whether in conjunction with echocardiography or as a standalone service) should be--and will eventually be required to be--credentialed by the appropriate agency.
The entire body of certification guidelines can now be downloaded for free: ICAEL Guidelines and ICAVL Guidelines. The process is still voluntary, and payment is still allowed in non-credentialed labs provided physician and sonographer credentialing criteria have been met. This will likely change by 2012.
Sonographer Credentialing
Three different bodies can credential sonographers in vascular ultrasound: the ARDMS, CCI, or the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists. The ARDMS and CCI credentials are equally recognized by Medicare in all states and territories; they have nearly equal pass/fail rates and test on the same content. The ASRT credential is open only to qualified registered radiologic technologists and is not presently recognized by Medicare in all fifty states.
The prerequisites for the ARDMS and CCI are unique to the various entry-level backgrounds and experience. You can quickly navigate the current prerequisites (always subject to change) with the color-coded charts here.
Our post graduate courses move you closer to all of these goals.
Our Value Proposition for You
We’re the very best investment of training time and money for your employee.
We’ll build on their knowledge by reaffirming it then expanding it. We’ll guide them into a core skills set congruent with standard protocols so they’ll return ready to fit into your own. We’ll build their confidence and correct their mistakes.
Our course content is congruent with all national standards. Our class experience exceeds it. We’ll return them to you ready to grow into the production you need. We can’t implant in them the years of experience it takes to become expert but we will shortcut months of learning to become independent, confident, and authoritative quickly.
The investment is well placed:
• Direct flights from every large city in North America in the
most competitive priced air markets.
• No distractions from learning: no bikinis, speedos, beach
bars, or parties. Rather, a professional, safe, respectful
setting for your employee’s professional development.
• The entire course held at the host hotel, with discounted
rates. All suite property, complete with full kitchens. Fifteen
minutes from the airport to the conference site front desk.
• AMA Category I continuing medical education credit gives
your employee the focused, accredited training hours to
prepare for and maintain formal certification.
• Hands-on courses commit up to four hours a day in our
hands-on Scan Lab and the Lab is open around the clock
for independent practice.
We’ll build on their knowledge by reaffirming it then expanding it. We’ll guide them into a core skills set congruent with standard protocols so they’ll return ready to fit into your own. We’ll build their confidence and correct their mistakes.
Our course content is congruent with all national standards. Our class experience exceeds it. We’ll return them to you ready to grow into the production you need. We can’t implant in them the years of experience it takes to become expert but we will shortcut months of learning to become independent, confident, and authoritative quickly.
The investment is well placed:
• Direct flights from every large city in North America in the
most competitive priced air markets.
• No distractions from learning: no bikinis, speedos, beach
bars, or parties. Rather, a professional, safe, respectful
setting for your employee’s professional development.
• The entire course held at the host hotel, with discounted
rates. All suite property, complete with full kitchens. Fifteen
minutes from the airport to the conference site front desk.
• AMA Category I continuing medical education credit gives
your employee the focused, accredited training hours to
prepare for and maintain formal certification.
• Hands-on courses commit up to four hours a day in our
hands-on Scan Lab and the Lab is open around the clock
for independent practice.
• Course reference materials are in depth and support your
staff for years to come.
• Breakfast is complimentary every day; lunch is provided
each day of the course. In-room dining and grocery delivery
service at the hotel; restaurants within safe walking
distance.
• Post conference support goes on for life, for free.
Secure your investment by ensuring your employee’s
commitment: download an employer/employee contract
form, exchanging your training investment for their time commitment.
If you have a larger project involving several staff, or sonographers and physicians, you might find that our on-site training option is more effective. We bring every necessary element of the coursework to you and conduct it in your space, on your schedule, and use your patients as learning models. You benefit by saving on travel costs, absentee pay, and lost productivity.
Compare us to our colleagues in training. Inspect our public courses, and the ones we’ve got upcoming (and tell us whatever else you think we should create). Then contact us for answers to any concern or question you might have. We’re passionate about your success and grateful for the chance to serve.
Learn more: FAQ’s
staff for years to come.
• Breakfast is complimentary every day; lunch is provided
each day of the course. In-room dining and grocery delivery
service at the hotel; restaurants within safe walking
distance.
• Post conference support goes on for life, for free.
Secure your investment by ensuring your employee’s
commitment: download an employer/employee contract
form, exchanging your training investment for their time commitment.
If you have a larger project involving several staff, or sonographers and physicians, you might find that our on-site training option is more effective. We bring every necessary element of the coursework to you and conduct it in your space, on your schedule, and use your patients as learning models. You benefit by saving on travel costs, absentee pay, and lost productivity.
Compare us to our colleagues in training. Inspect our public courses, and the ones we’ve got upcoming (and tell us whatever else you think we should create). Then contact us for answers to any concern or question you might have. We’re passionate about your success and grateful for the chance to serve.
Learn more: FAQ’s
- Interpretation & Reporting of Abdominal, Renal, and Peripheral Vascular Ultrasound
10 Cat 1 CME hours
- Interpretation & Reporting of Carotid & Vertebral Duplex Ultrasound
6 Cat 1 CME hours
- Hands-On Abdominal, Renal, And Peripheral Vascular Ultrasound Imaging
17 Cat 1 CME hours
- Hands-On Carotid & Vertebral Duplex
Ultrasound
10 Cat 1 CME hours
- Would you like to get this training on-site for your group?
- Secure staff commitment in exchange for your training sponsorship: Download a sample contract here
- Medicare Reimbursement Calculator (by GE Healthcare)
- Download the prerequisites and application book for the Registered Physician Vascular Interpretation examination
- FAQ
We differentiate ourselves from every other
teaching institution by eliminating the most common barriers to hand-eye
and bioinformatics competence. The average compression ratio for our
courses is 12:1; twelve years of experience to one day in class.
Comprehensive written materials, integrated with the live experience,
amplify and concrete learning for years to come.
Post conference mentoring continues for free, for life.
We offer public courses, private tutorials, and practice/industry consultation on all aspects pertaining to the clinical research, engineering, business, and governmental issues surrounding the field.
Contact us; we’re at your service and glad to help, in any way at all.
Post conference mentoring continues for free, for life.
We offer public courses, private tutorials, and practice/industry consultation on all aspects pertaining to the clinical research, engineering, business, and governmental issues surrounding the field.
Contact us; we’re at your service and glad to help, in any way at all.
Your colleagues throughout the country have already profited from the benefits of our on-site training.
Ultrasound can leverage your time exponentially.
Will you master the process?