The American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT) is urging the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to add language requiring that only registered radiologic technologists can perform radiography procedures to proposed rules implementing a 20% cut for analog x-ray studies.
Legislation was passed late last year requiring a 20% cut to analog x-ray payments starting in 2017 and a 7% cut for computed radiography (CR) starting in 2018. The provisions were including in the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2016, the omnibus budget for the federal government. CMS detailed how it would implement the cuts in its proposed physician fee schedule and hospital outpatient payment system, released in July.
But while CMS gave some clarity to x-ray providers, the ASRT sees the failure to include language on requiring registered RTs as a missed opportunity, according to the group. CMS does not currently require imaging procedures to be performed by registered technologists in order to be eligible for Medicare or Medicaid reimbursement.
"The ASRT's position is that all medical imaging procedures should be performed by registered radiologic technologists," ASRT President Michael Latimer told AuntMinnie.com via email. "When preparing the rules, CMS excluded language requiring registered radiologic technologists to perform radiography procedures billed within Medicare. The ASRT would like CMS to add language in its rule requiring that only registered radiologic technologists perform radiography procedures."
CMS is accepting comments on the two rules until September 6.
