Maximizing Patient Care and Profitability Through In-House Neurological Imaging

A session at the 2025 NeuroNet Pro Annual Summit explored how to integrate MRI and PET imaging in-house to improve patient outcomes, increase profits, and navigate the complexities of owning imaging equipment for expert therapy monitoring and shared decision-making.

“Neurologists influence over 15 million imaging orders annually and make critical decisions that carry tremendous liability. As groundbreaking therapies emerge, neuroimaging will play an even greater role in patient selection and risk monitoring. This is your opportunity to explore bringing MRI and PET imaging in-house, offering patients the comfort and convenience of a seamless, one-stop solution with coordinated clinical visits and therapies,” said Laszlo Mechtler, MD, FAAN, FEAN, FASN, FAHS, chief medical officer, Dent Neurologic Institute.

Dr Mechtler shared his perspective on bringing neurodiagnostic services in-house as the CMO of Dent Neurological Institute which serves 340 000 patients annually via 100 providers. The speaker posed a puzzle to the audience: Why, despite the increasing need for neurological care and a burnt-out workforce, are more neurologists not joining the field?

“In my opinion, the main reason is that neurologists feel they're underpaid,” Dr Mechtler posited.

In the private sector, the percentage of neurologists in private practice has declined in recent years. In 2010, 51.9% of neurologists in the US worked in private practice. By 2018, the number dropped to 13%. Dr Mechtler credited this change to increasing insurance costs, complex billing, financial pressures, intensity of care, and clinical operations.

However, Dr Mechtler emphasized, on average, the difference between patient costs for seeking imaging services in a hospital vs a private practice could amount to thousands of dollars. Embracing new technology that reduces MRI and PET imaging time or utilizes artificial intelligence (AI) were suggested as an effective strategy for private practices to be more competitive and to continue providing more cost-effective care.

“We should be at the leading edge of innovation because it changes the way we treat our patients,” Dr Mechtler said.

Other suggestions Dr Mechtler shared for the success of neurologists included being actively involved in hosting fellowships, join neuroimaging committees, publishing and supporting the Journal of Neuroimaging, and seizing opportunities for mentorship and advancing education.

Reference

Mechtler L. Neuro-diagnostic breakthroughs, and how to bring it all in-house. Presented at: NeuroNet Pro Annual Summit 2025; January 31, 2025; Nashville, TN