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The biggest radiology change since PACS just became permanent.
CMS just fundamentally rewrote how radiology supervision works in America.
Starting January 1, 2026, radiologists can permanently supervise diagnostic imaging tests virtually using real-time audiovisual technology. No more temporary extensions. No more uncertainty. This is now the law of the land.
Think about what this actually means:
A radiologist in Chicago can supervise an MRI in rural Montana. A subspecialist in Boston can oversee complex procedures in underserved Mississippi. Weekend coverage no longer requires physical presence in multiple facilities.
The numbers tell the story:
📊 75% of rural hospitals struggle to find radiologists
🏥 Average wait time for imaging: 31 days in rural areas
⏰ After-hours coverage costs: $500,000+ annually per facility
This isn’t just about convenience. It’s about survival for smaller imaging centers and rural hospitals.
For years, we’ve had the technology. High-speed internet, secure connections, crystal-clear video. But regulations kept us stuck in a pre-digital mindset where physical presence equaled quality oversight.
The pandemic proved that wrong. Virtual supervision maintained safety standards while expanding access. Now CMS is making it official.
But here’s what nobody’s talking about:
This creates an entirely new economic model for radiology practices. Subspecialists can now serve multiple facilities efficiently. Small imaging centers can access expertise they could never afford full-time. Rural hospitals can offer advanced imaging without recruiting challenges.
The resistance will come from those who benefit from artificial scarcity. Large hospital systems that monopolize regional imaging. Locum agencies charging premium rates for temporary coverage.
Yet for patients, this is transformative. Faster access to imaging. Better subspecialty reads. Lower costs as facilities share resources efficiently.
We’re witnessing the democratization of radiology expertise. Geography no longer determines quality of care.
The question isn’t whether this will reshape radiology, it’s how fast the transformation happens.
Smart practices are already building virtual supervision infrastructure. Forward-thinking hospitals are renegotiating coverage contracts. Innovative imaging centers are expanding service lines they couldn’t support before.
This is bigger than a policy change. It’s the beginning of radiology’s next chapter.
♻️ Repost if geographic barriers shouldn’t determine imaging access
👉 Follow me, Jonathan Govette, for real-time updates on healthcare technology and business news. LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathangovette/
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Author:
CEO/Co-Founder @ Oatmeal Health | AI Lung Cancer Screening | Almost Became a Doctor | Engineer | Follow to Share What I’ve Learned Along the Way
I help patients get the care they need earlier, preventing late-stage cancer.
That’s been the throughline across three companies and almost 20 years in healthcare. At ReferralMD, we fixed broken referral networks so patients didn’t fall through the cracks. At Oatmeal Health, it’s lung cancer: building the diagnostic and screening infrastructure so the 85% of cases caught too late get caught early instead.
Today as CEO of Oatmeal Health, I lead a team embedding AI into radiology workflows to turn routine lung CT scans into reimbursable cancer risk assessments. We partner with FQHCs to reach underserved communities, and with health systems and payers to make early detection economically sustainable. Think HeartFlow or Cleerly, but for lungs.
Between companies, I advised at Techstars and Plug and Play, mentoring founders building in digital health. That experience shaped how I think about what separates companies that ship from companies that stall: distribution, reimbursement, and clinical trust, not just technology.
I’m a CancerX alumnus, a 3x healthcare founder, and someone who believes the biggest problems in cancer aren’t scientific. They’re operational.
We’re hiring mission-driven builders at Oatmeal Health. If you want to work on something that matters, reach out.
When I’m not working, I’m traveling, mentoring, and keeping up with one very energetic husky. 🐾
Substack – The Oatmeal Bite:
Millions of patients get less care because of who they are, where they live, or how they look. I’m fighting to change that. CEO @OatmealHealth, a startup built for the underserved. The Oatmeal Bite: intel for clinicians, investors, and advocates.
Jonathan Govette
CEO of Oatmeal Health
Substack:
https://oatmealhealthjonathangovette.substack.com/
