senators Introduce Legislation to Make Hospital Radiologist Assistant-Performed Medical Imaging Eligible for Medicare Reimbursement
WASHINGTON––U.S. Senators John Boozman (R-AR) and Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) are leading an effort to improve Medicare beneficiaries’ access to health care services and address the provider shortage that exists nationwide, which is particularly dire in rural America. The Medicare Access to Radiology Care Act (MARCA) would allow radiologists to submit claims to Medicare for non-diagnostic services performed by radiologist assistants (RAs) they directly supervise in both the hospital and office setting.
While RAs are recognized under Medicare to perform services under direct supervision, the radiology practices that employ them are unable to submit claims to Medicare for RA-performed services in hospitals, where they normally work.
“Medicare patients should not go without access to important diagnostic tools either because of a lack of available personnel or red tape. Radiologist assistants are well qualified to fulfill this need, and our bipartisan legislation would ensure they can do so. Allowing Medicare coverage for these procedures is common sense and will help deliver timely and quality care,” Boozman said.
“Health care worker shortages and unnecessary barriers should not prevent Medicare patients from accessing the care they need,” said Luján. “Allowing qualified RAs to provide services through Medicare is crucial to ensuring patients receive timely, high-quality care. This legislation will help address the impact of provider shortages, particularly in rural areas, and improve access to care for all Medicare patients.”
In 2019, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services adjusted RA supervision requirements, which allowed providers to be reimbursed by Medicare for services performed by RAs in the office setting. However, the adjustment did not include reimbursement by Medicare for RA services performed in the hospital setting, creating a disparity that negatively impacts the radiology care available in hospitals. This legislation addresses that gap to restore access for patients in either setting and removes disincentives that jeopardize the ability of radiologists to meet demand for care and treatment.
“The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) applauds Senators John Boozman and Ben Ray Luján for introducing the Medicare Access to Radiology Care Act of 2024. With demand for quality and timely radiology services continuing to rise, MARCA will remove federal barriers to enable radiologists to fully utilize the radiologist assistant as an advanced practice provider specifically trained to assist on diagnostic and therapeutic radiology procedures. This monumental legislation will ensure that all services provided by a radiologist assistant, supervised by a radiologist as part of a radiologist-led team, receive Medicare reimbursement, regardless of the setting in which the radiology service is provided,” said American Registry of Radiologic Technologists CEO Liana Watson, DM, R.T.(R)(M)(S)(BS)(ARRT).
“The American Society of Radiologic Technologists emphatically supports the Medicare Access to Radiology Care Act of 2024. The MARCA bill will ensure that all services provided by a radiologist assistant, supervised by a radiologist as part of a radiologist-led team, receive Medicare reimbursement, regardless of the setting in which the radiology service is provided,” said American Society of Radiologic Technologists CEO and Executive Director Melissa B. Pergola, Ed.D., R.T. (R)(M), FASRT, CAE.
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