Mobile PET/CT imaging is transforming how cardiology and oncology practices deliver diagnostic care. By bringing advanced imaging directly to community clinics, practices can offer same-day testing, faster diagnoses, and more coordinated treatment, without investing millions in a fixed scanner. While enhanced reimbursement can add a new profit center, practices must be aware of potential regulatory obligations associated with these modalities.
Expanding Access and Efficiency
For cardiac imaging, newer, longer-lived radiopharmaceuticals make it possible to deliver doses through the mobile unit, eliminating delays and simplifying logistics. Patients benefit from shorter travel times, faster results, and more convenient scheduling. Practices, in turn, keep care and reimbursement within their own networks. When properly structured, mobile PET/CT programs allows practices to capture both the technical and professional components of imaging revenue while reducing patient leakage to hospital systems.
Supporting Value-Based Care and Practice Growth
Mobile PET/CT also aligns with value-based care initiatives. By performing imaging in community settings rather than hospital outpatient departments (HOPDs), practices help reduce overall healthcare costs while maintaining clinical quality. These efficiencies support key measures under value-based contracts.
In addition, mobile PET/CT can generate reimbursement supports broader practice growth initiatives including, expanding service lines, hiring additional staff, or investing in new technologies. Leasing or renting a mobile PET/CT unit offers a cost-effective, scalable way to meet patient demand without long-term, high-cost infrastructure commitments.
Compliance Remains Critical
The benefits of mobile PET/CT come with important compliance responsibilities. Under the Stark Law and similar state statutes, any distribution of imaging profits within a practice must comply with the requirements of an applicable exception to the self-referral prohibition. External relationships (e.g., with equipment leasing companies) must be consistent with the Federal Anti-Kickback Statute and state fee-splitting prohibitions. Per-scan or volume-based lease payments can raise serious regulatory concerns.
The Bottom Line
When structured and documented correctly, mobile PET/CT programs can strengthen patient access, support value-based care strategies, and help drive practice growth while ensuring compliance with federal and state regulations.
How Frier Levitt Can Help
Mobile PET/CT arrangements offer enormous opportunities, but they also carry significant regulatory risk. Frier Levitt’s attorneys regularly advise cardiology, oncology, and multispecialty practices on structuring mobile imaging programs that comply with the Stark Law, Anti-Kickback Statute, state fee-splitting rules, and value-based care requirements.
We work closely with providers, leasing companies, and technology vendors to structure compliant relationships, develop defensible compensation methodologies, and prepare the necessary contractual and operational documentation.
If your practice is considering mobile PET/CT or evaluating an existing arrangement, Frier Levitt can help you navigate every step.
Contact us today to speak with an attorney experienced in imaging and healthcare regulatory compliance.
Co-Managing Partner
