Healthcare policy doesn't have to be boring - and it definitely isn't when it shapes the future of radiology.

In this episode, Maddi and Jeff are joined by Robert Optican, MD, FACR to break down the six legislative and regulatory issues every radiologist should know, from AI reimbursement and Medicare payment reform to the ROOT Act, the No Surprises Act, and the growing wave of AI regulation. Discover how today's policy decisions will influence tomorrow's workflow, compensation, and patient care - and why radiologists can't afford to sit this conversation out.

Link for claiming CME: (further instructions below) https://cmetracker.net/EVMS/Publisher?page=pubOpen#/getCertificate/31900

RLI Summit information: https://www.acr.org/Education-and-CME/Radiology-Leadership-Institute/Leadership-Summit

Dr. Dana Smetherman's prepared remarks during a House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee meeting on May 20, 2026: https://edge.sitecorecloud.io/americancoldf5f-acrorgf92a-productioncb02-3650/media/ACR/Files/Medicare-Medicaid/Coverage/MACRA-PFS-Reform-Testimony.pdf

Accreditation Information

Contributors & Reviewers

Robert Optican, MD, MHA, FACR

Madison Wulfeck, MD, MBA

Jeffrey Waltz, MD

Release Date

June 2026

Expiration Date

June 2029

Disclosure Statement

The planners and contributors have no financial relationships with ineligible companies to disclose.

Accreditation Statement

This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint providership of Macon and Joan Brock Virginia Health Science at Old Dominion University and Contrast & Clarity Podcast. Macon and Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at Old Dominion University is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Credit Designation

Macon and Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at Old Dominion University designates this enduring material activity for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 CreditsTM. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

If you have any questions regarding CME, please email CME@ODU.edu or call 757-446-6140.

Instructions for claiming CME:

1. Click on the link above and then "Sign in to Generate Certificate."

2. To create an account, an email address and password will need to be entered into the respective fields before the system will allow you to proceed.

3. After creating an account and signing in, the "Activity Code" will be prepopulated for you, so just click on the red "Submit" button.

4. A brief survey will pop up for you to complete. Once you have completed the survey, enter the credits you are seeking and click "Submit." Do not hit the back button on your computer.

5. Your certificate will pop up and then you can select the print certificate button.

6. For assistance with any of these steps, please contact the CME office via email cme@odu.edu with screenshots of the specific problem you are facing for the quickest assistance or you may also call the CME office at (757)446-6140.