​In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, CMS began allowing physicians to remotely supervise certain imaging exams. This temporary measure was extended until December 31, and CMS is now proposing to make it permanent. The Radiology Business Management Association (RBMA) Co-Executive Director Linda Wilgus said “We also applaud CMS for proposing to make virtual direct supervision permanent for imaging studies involving contrast media. This is a critical step toward modernizing care delivery and expanding access, particularly in underserved and rural areas". 

​

Virtual C Remote Doctor Supervision (RDS) Technology enables doctors to supervise fluoroscopy procedures remotely in real time. There is a clear trend toward shifting imaging services away from hospitals to more affordable and convenient community settings. Outpatient imaging is growing faster than the overall radiology market, with approximately 40% of all imaging procedures now performed in outpatient centers rather than acute-care hospitals. The traditional “one-size-fits-all” approach to care settings is evolving; successful imaging programs are now meeting patients where they are. Healthcare executives are investing in compact, high-performance imaging equipment suitable for outpatient clinics, physician practices, assisted living facilities, skilled nursing centers, home health, continuing care retirement communities, and beyond.

The versatile Virtual C technology continues to reimagine mobile fluoroscopy imaging to address unmet needs for the most fragile, immobile, and underserved patients. Its capabilities are expanding, the Machine Vision Collimator (MVC) shutter controls are now displayed on the workstation computer’s LCD screen. This allows doctors to visually see the patient, adjust the size and location of the radiation beam to the region of interest and initiate an x-ray exposure from any location with an ethernet connection.