The American College of Radiology (ACR) is endorsing the Diagnostic Imaging Services Access Protection Act (HR 846), which would correct a 25% multiple procedure payment reduction (MPPR) to Medicare reimbursement for interpretation of advanced diagnostic imaging scans performed on the same patient, in the same session.
The bill was introduced by Reps. Pete Olson (R-TX), Peter Roskam (R-IL), John Barrow (D-GA), Betty McCollum (D-MN), and 38 co-sponsors in the House of Representatives.
The MPPR cut that HR 846 addresses has "little to no impact" on the number of scans ordered, according to ACR. The organization cited a study that indicates that any efficiencies in physician interpretation and diagnosis when the same patient is provided multiple services on the same day are variable and, at most, one-tenth of what lawmakers estimate (Allen et al, Journal of the American College of Radiology, June 29, 2011).
