Singleton Associates and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas Reach Multi-Year Agreement to Maintain In-Network Radiology Access
Singleton Associates, P.A. (Singleton Associates), a radiology practice affiliated with Radiology Partners, and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas (BCBSTX) have reached a new multi-year agreement designed to maintain patients’ access to in-network diagnostic and interventional radiology services across Texas. The agreement will take effect on November 1, 2026, establishing a long-term framework for continued collaboration between the physician practice and health plan.
The agreement is expected to support network stability and continuity of care for BCBSTX members who rely on Singleton Associates for a broad range of imaging and interventional radiology services. By establishing a multi-year arrangement, the organizations aim to provide greater predictability for patients, healthcare providers and other stakeholders while maintaining access to specialized radiology capabilities.
Radiology plays an important role throughout the healthcare system, supporting the diagnosis, monitoring and treatment of a wide variety of conditions. Diagnostic imaging is frequently used to identify disease, assess injuries, guide treatment decisions and monitor patients over time. Interventional radiology, meanwhile, provides minimally invasive, image-guided procedures that can be used for diagnosis and treatment.
For patients, continued participation in an insurance network can help reduce disruptions associated with changes in healthcare providers or coverage arrangements. The new agreement between Singleton Associates and BCBSTX provides a basis for ongoing access to Singleton Associates’ radiology services under the health plan.
Agreement Supports Continuity of Care
Singleton Associates and BCBSTX worked together to reach the new agreement, with both organizations recognizing the importance of sustainable provider-health plan relationships. The companies said the agreement reflects a shared commitment to network stability, continuity of care and continued access to high-quality radiology services.
Reimbursement negotiations between healthcare providers and health plans can have broad implications for patients and healthcare systems. Sustainable reimbursement can help support physician practices, staffing, technology investments and the delivery of specialized services, while health plans must also manage affordability and access for their members.
Against this backdrop, Singleton Associates and BCBSTX said they coordinated closely to establish an agreement that supports the interests of patients, providers, the health plan and the broader healthcare system.
Dr. Byron Christie of Singleton Associates highlighted the importance of maintaining sustainable radiology services while addressing broader workforce and technology challenges facing the specialty.
“We commend BCBSTX for recognizing the realities of the severe, nationwide radiologist shortage and the importance of partnering to ensure sustainable rates and access to critical emerging technologies to preserve access, reduce total system cost and enhance detection of life-threatening disease,” Christie said.
He added that Singleton Associates is pleased to continue its relationship with BCBSTX and described the agreement as an example of how health plans and providers can collaborate on complex healthcare challenges.
“We are pleased to continue our partnership with BCBSTX and believe this agreement demonstrates what is possible when health plans and providers work together to solve complex healthcare challenges,” Christie said.
Addressing Radiology Workforce Challenges
The agreement comes as radiology practices across the United States operate within an evolving healthcare environment that includes workforce pressures, growing imaging volumes and continued demand for advanced diagnostic technologies.
Radiologists provide clinical expertise across numerous medical specialties, interpreting imaging studies such as X-rays, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), ultrasound and other advanced imaging modalities. In many hospitals and healthcare settings, radiologists also support emergency departments around the clock and collaborate with physicians across specialties to inform diagnosis and treatment decisions.
Singleton Associates provides 24/7 emergency radiology coverage as part of its services across Texas. Around-the-clock radiology availability can be particularly important in emergency settings, where imaging results may influence urgent decisions involving trauma, stroke, cardiovascular conditions, infections and other potentially serious medical problems.
The practice also provides specialized diagnostic and interventional radiology services through hospital-based and outpatient settings. These capabilities allow radiologists to participate in different stages of patient care, from initial diagnosis and disease monitoring to image-guided procedures.
The organizations’ new agreement is intended to help preserve this access for BCBSTX members receiving care through Singleton Associates.
Role of Advanced Technology in Radiology
Technology continues to play an increasingly important role in modern radiology. Improvements in imaging equipment, data management, artificial intelligence and clinical decision-support tools are influencing how radiology services are delivered.
As a Radiology Partners-affiliated practice, Singleton Associates radiologists have access to advanced technology and artificial intelligence tools, along with quality programs and clinical support resources. These resources are intended to support radiologists as they interpret imaging studies and deliver care across different clinical environments.
Artificial intelligence has emerged as an area of continued development in radiology. AI-enabled applications can assist with aspects of image analysis, workflow management and prioritization, although radiologists remain responsible for integrating imaging findings with clinical information and making professional interpretations.
Access to emerging technologies can require investment in equipment, software, infrastructure, training and clinical implementation. The agreement’s emphasis on sustainable rates and continued access to technology reflects the broader relationship between reimbursement, healthcare delivery and innovation.
For healthcare organizations, maintaining access to these resources can be important as imaging demand grows and radiology practices seek ways to improve workflow efficiency while maintaining quality and timely service.
Broad Range of Services Across Texas
Singleton Associates serves patients through hospital-based and outpatient imaging services across Texas. Its service portfolio includes emergency radiology coverage as well as specialized diagnostic and interventional capabilities.
Hospital-based radiology is closely integrated with inpatient and emergency care. Radiologists may work with emergency physicians, surgeons, hospitalists, oncologists, neurologists, cardiologists and other specialists to interpret imaging studies and provide information that supports clinical decision-making.
Outpatient imaging, meanwhile, supports patients who do not require hospital admission but need diagnostic imaging or other radiology services. Maintaining access to these services can help physicians investigate symptoms, evaluate suspected conditions and monitor patients with known diseases.
Interventional radiology adds another dimension to radiology care by using imaging guidance to perform minimally invasive procedures. Depending on the clinical situation, such procedures can provide alternatives to more invasive approaches and may be used for both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes.
Through its relationship with Radiology Partners, Singleton Associates also has access to broader clinical and operational resources. The affiliation provides a platform for radiologists to utilize technology, quality initiatives and other support programs as they deliver care across Texas.
Importance for Patients and Providers
The multi-year agreement is particularly relevant to patients who receive radiology services through Singleton Associates and are covered by BCBSTX. Maintaining an in-network relationship can provide continuity for patients and referring physicians while reducing the potential disruption that can accompany changes in provider-network arrangements.
For referring physicians, stable access to radiology services can also support established clinical workflows. Physicians depend on radiology reports and imaging expertise across a wide range of specialties, making radiology an important component of coordinated care.
For Singleton Associates, a long-term agreement provides a framework for continuing to serve BCBSTX members while supporting investments in staffing, technology and clinical services. For BCBSTX, maintaining relationships with radiology providers supports the availability of diagnostic and interventional services within its network.
The organizations said that fair and sustainable reimbursement and strong relationships between health plans and providers are important components of a functioning healthcare system.
The agreement between Singleton Associates and BCBSTX is set to become effective November 1, 2026, and establishes a multi-year foundation for continued collaboration.
The arrangement comes at a time when radiology providers and healthcare organizations are navigating workforce shortages, increasing demand for imaging, evolving technology and pressure to maintain high-quality care while managing healthcare costs.
Singleton Associates and BCBSTX said their collaboration demonstrates the potential for providers and health plans to work together on these challenges while maintaining patient access. The organizations intend to build on their relationship and continue supporting high-quality healthcare delivery across Texas.
For patients, the agreement provides continuity within the BCBSTX network and continued access to Singleton Associates’ diagnostic and interventional radiology services. For providers and healthcare organizations, it creates a longer-term framework for collaboration around imaging services, technology and patient care.
As radiology continues to evolve through advances in imaging technology, artificial intelligence and minimally invasive procedures, maintaining sustainable provider networks will remain an important part of delivering timely diagnostic and therapeutic services. The new agreement between Singleton Associates and BCBSTX provides a foundation for continued access while allowing both organizations to pursue their respective roles in supporting healthcare delivery across Texas.
About Singleton Associates, P.A.
Singleton Associates got its start more than 65 years ago as the first radiology provider to offer 24/7 in-house services to hospitals to make sure patients received the radiological care they needed, when they needed it. Learn more at singletonassociates.radpartners.com.
About Radiology Partners
Radiology Partners, through its affiliated practices, is the leading technology-enabled radiology practice in the U.S., serving more than 3,400 hospitals and other healthcare facilities with high quality radiology, technology and artificial intelligence solutions. As a physician-led and physician-owned practice, our mission is to transform radiology by innovating across clinical value, technology, service and economics, while elevating the role of radiology and radiologists in healthcare.
Using a proven healthcare services model, Radiology Partners provides consistent, high-quality care to patients, while delivering enhanced value to the hospitals, clinics, imaging centers and referring physicians we serve.