A bill to amend the Social Security Act to recognize radiologist assistants (RAs) as nonphysician providers of healthcare services for Medicare beneficiaries was introduced into the U.S. House of Representatives on September 23.
The Medicare Access to Radiology Care Act of 2011 (HR 3032) would also authorize physician reimbursement through the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for procedures performed by RAs in states that have laws establishing radiologist assistant practice guidelines. Currently, 29 states license or certify RAs.
Under the proposed legislation, healthcare facilities and radiology practices would also be reimbursed for services performed by RAs. The bill was filed by U.S. Reps. Dave Reichert (R-WA), Jim Matheson (D-UT), Pete Olson (R-TX), and Bill Pascrell (D-NJ).
HR 3032 has the support of the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists, the American College of Radiology, the American Society of Radiologic Technologists, and the Society of Radiology Physician Extenders.
