This was contrasted with the experience of Dr. Keith Hentel, a radiologist and associate professor of radiology at Weill Cornell Medical College. They decided not to meet radiology meaningful use. He said there was “significant institutional resistance” to radiology meaningful use adoption because of the low cost-benefit ratio. Hentel cited the major work flow disconnect between the radiology information system and their electronic health system as a major challenge.

“For radiology to not embrace it [meaningful use] seems like not loving mom and apple pie,” he said. “We all want to provide better patient care.”

But he made a strong case that his radiology department is working on other initiatives – such as a new clinical decision support matrix – to get the same quality results intended under meaningful use. He said they are using these quality metric improvements to prepare for MIPS.

“Invest now [in MIPS],” said Khorasani. “Decide who is the lead physician and nonclinical lead. Otherwise you’re going to be chasing your tail in 2019 and it’s not going to turn out well. The amount of the penalty could be the difference between having a profit margin for your practice or not.”

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