A bill that would prohibit a looming multiple procedure payment reduction (MPPR) to Medicare payments for the professional component of CT, MRI, and ultrasound exams received by the same patient, on the same day, in the same setting, in 2012 was introduced on Thursday in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Titled the Diagnostic Imaging Services Protection Act of 2011, HR 3269 is a bipartisan bill sponsored by Rep. Pete Olson (R-TX) and Rep. Betty McCollum (D-MN) and co-sponsored by 31 additional House members, according to the American College of Radiology (ACR), which has supported the bill.
"Medicare funding for imaging has been cut seven times in six years, totaling more than $5 billion," said Dr. John Patti, chair of the ACR's board of chancellors, in a statement. "Further cuts would damage access to care for those who need it most."
The U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is expected to issue a final rule on the MPPR cuts next week.
