History

Unabridged History 1966-1986

With the advent of Medicare in 1966, the reimbursement of radiology services shifted from the traditional hospital contracts to a fee-for-service environment requiring separate accounts receivable management. Because of the costly nature of such a technologically based medical specialty, radiologists were among the first physician groups to realize the necessity for full-time, professional management of their practice's business affairs.

The first RBMA steering committee met in 1968 in Chicago under the guidance of Dr. Calhoun. His business manager, Maxine Williams, directed the organization for many years.

RBMA was formed for two purposes: to provide for the development and recognition of radiology business managers, and to improve the administration of radiology practices, enabling radiologists to concentrate on providing their services to the public, thus holding down the costs of those services to the public. RBMA seeks to fulfill its purposes through the education of its membership, other healthcare professionals and the public at large.

At the time of formation, there were only 15 to 20 identifiable radiology business managers in the country. Their needs were met for a time with telephone calls and informal discussion groups during which they primarily shared billing and/or collection problems. By the end of 1970, RBMA had three committees working and was distributing a bi-monthly newsletter, which featured member news, promotion of meetings, position openings and notices of current topical issues. Before the end of 1972, membership growth had resulted in formation of regional subsections, some of which began meeting on an annual basis in 1973. Concurrently, RBMA recognized the benefit of having commercial exhibitors at its meetings to acquaint the attendees with the latest in billing and equipment technology. By the end of 1974, membership had grown to 250 and regional subsections were formally made part of the organizational structure. The four regional sections were now meeting annually for further discussion of the issues confronting radiology.

By mid-1975, RBMA had combined two if its existing committees into a continuing education committee, with the intent to develop a program of education which could lead to certification of radiology business managers. At this time, the format of national meetings consisted of several days of guest speakers discussing specific problems confronting the practice of radiology, such as the administration of pension plans, quality control of films and equipment acquisition.

In 1977, RBMA began monthly circulation of its newsletter. By 1979 it had authorized an educational fund for financial assistance to its regional meetings. In the same year, the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) requested that RBMA offer practice management workshops at the RSNA annual scientific assembly and that RBMA assist it in the formation of a consortium of allied health groups called the Associated Science Workshop. Membership in the RBMA was now about 600.

In 1980, RBMA began development of a standardized course of education intended to lead to certification of participants within approximately three years. It also strengthened its ties with additional national medical associations, such as the American Hospital Radiology Administrators (AHRA) and the Medical Group Management Association (MGMA). In 1981, an outside meeting planner for national conferences was hired. In 1983, the continuing education program was implemented but, initially, without any certification or accreditation processes. During that year, the American College of Radiology (ACR) requested that RBMA assist in the instruction of graduating residents and in the planning of some of its seminars. Membership was now about 825.

With continued expansion of membership base and an increasing number of degreed professionals within that base, RBMA recognized a demand for more professional management education and greater access to that education. In 1983, in response to these demands, RBMA acquired full-time staff and established a central executive office. It acquired legal counsel for assistance in disseminating information on statutory matters and legislative issues. In 1984, a formal chart of accounts was established by RBMA from which radiology groups nationwide could utilize distinct structures to meet their individual financial management needs. It began presenting free-standing educational seminars in addition to annual conferences and added programs and activities further supporting members involved in the fields of radiation therapy and radiation oncology.

In 1985, RBMA began publication of a quarterly business journal in radiology to increase public access to quality management information. As a result of this publication, the newsletter publication schedule was reduced from twelve to eight issues per year. In order to make the next positive step toward implementation of an accredited education program, RBMA hired an experienced professional in conference planning with a master's degree in adult and continuing education. Concurrently, an executive committee was established to undertake long-range planning for the future.

By 1986 with membership at more than 1,000, the focus of the organization was on expansion of management information and education for members and others in the health care field. RBMA provided a minimum of six specialty seminars, which along with the national conferences, were monitored for continuing education units for participants in the certification program. At national conferences, RBMA provided personal consultative services to members by both its legal counsel and a professional in personnel administration, without additional charge. RBMA provided professional faculty on the topic of computer capabilities, at no cost, for radiologists and physicists and other attendees of the RSNA Scientific Assembly and provided faculty to other medical societies and other associations on topics dealing with the intricacies of practice management. Additionally, the RBMA cosponsored a radiology hotline with the Los Angeles Radiological Society. The toll-free hotline, hosted by volunteers, offered free consultation to physicians or business managers on accounts receivable management and Medicare-Medi-Cal reimbursement questions.