Interview: Lyndon Jordan, MD

Under North Carolina’s ACA plans, there are six providers. Oscar and UnitedHealthcare are new for 2021 and AmeriHealth and Friday Health already announced plans to join for 2022. Of the four existing providers, Blue Cross Blue Shield 2021 premiums for North Carolina decreased by 1.03% and Cigna’s fell by 14.3%. Ambetter/ Centene premiums increased by 6.2% and premiums for Bright Health rose by about 2%. The average benchmark plan premium in North Carolina’s exchange was 10% lower in 2020 than it was in 2019.

Like in most states, many rely on health insurance provided by employers but this was thrown into turmoil during the pandemic as many abruptly lost their jobs. The Kaiser Family Foundation estimated, based on May 2020 unemployment data, that 723,000 North Carolinians had become uninsured due to job loss. An October 2020 report found that health insurance costs for families ( ) Lyndon Jordan, MD

Musculoskeletal Radiologist President & Managing Partner Wake Radiology UNC REX Healthcare

How important is it for healthcare systems to showcase value added care?

It’s critically important for healthcare systems and providers to demonstrate value-added care. As a provider of outpatient diagnostic imaging, we strive to add value by getting to an actionable diagnosis in the most efficient means with the fewest imaging tests. From our first contact with a patient and their ordering clinician, our Wake Radiology UNC REX team works to develop relationships that build confidence and trust. This focuses on ensuring the most appropriate and cost-effective exam for the patient. Our imaging technologists use their experience and care to obtain quality images and our board-certified radiologists then use these images to make a timely and actionable diagnosis which helps direct the next steps in the patient’s health management.

What is the company’s relationship with talent development in the radiology segment?

Wake Radiology UNC REX has more than 400 employees, including nearly 60 physicians – each having a focused area of professional interest and expertise. During the past year, we added 15 fellowship-trained specialists who are coming from some of the most renowned training facilities and institutions around the country. Our team, especially new radiologists, expects access to modern imaging tools and a robust IT infrastructure that enables real-time collaboration among referring providers and specialists.

Since our practice opened in the 1950s, we have expanded outpatient radiology services in the Triangle through innovation, a subspecialty focus and recruitment of top talent. The newly trained specialists joining our group bring with them new imaging protocols and tools that allow us to continue this enhanced support to our community. Wake Radiology UNC REX will continue to grow with the Triangle – and we will continue to focus on technology as a tool to connect our community with a broader network of imaging specialists.