The American College of Radiology (ACR) of Reston, VA, is reporting that the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is moving ahead with its plan to "package" radiology imaging services, diagnostic radiopharmaceuticals, and contrast into one consolidated payment.
Because the CMS modified its methodology, hospitals will receive as much as a 40% increase in interventional radiology payments.
Still, the ACR is withholding its final judgment on the CMS action. While there are "positive implications for other radiology services in the outpatient setting," the ACR noted that it "continues to be concerned about CMS' aggressive efforts at packaging, because the formula has not been fully disclosed and has very volatile effects."
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