Policy & Regulations

This channel includes news coverage of healthcare policy and regulations set by Congress, the states, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and medical associations and societies. 

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Cardiology practices pay $17.7M to settle fraud allegations brought on by whistleblowers

A total of 16 cardiology practices from 12 states settled with the DOJ to resolve allegations they overbilled Medicare for imaging agents used to diagnose cardiovascular disease. 

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Congress ditches doc fix in stopgap end-of-year funding bill

“It is extremely disappointing that the incoming administration would upend a bipartisan agreement that prevented devastating cuts," the RBMA said Friday. 

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Physician Medicare pay fix in jeopardy following criticism from Donald Trump, Elon Musk

UPDATE: Congress on Friday, Dec. 20, passed a slimmed down version of the original continuing resolution with no physician Medicare pay fix. 

Blue Cross Blue Shield BCBS

Blue Cross Blue Shield affiliate rejects MRI contrast coverage, labeling it ‘investigational’

The BCBS decision pertains to gadopiclenol, a gadolinium-based product sold under the brand names Elucirem and Vueway. 

New York Albany capitol

Radiologists push governor to veto bill that would produce ‘staggering’ increase in liability premiums

ACR noted that the state already is struggling to recruit and retain physicians, with the policy potentially exacerbating the problem. 

Medicare Medicaid reimbursement

Radiology experts say state Medicaid rates must increase to improve imaging access

Eliminating reimbursement gaps may reduce the healthcare and outcome disparities experienced by these underserved groups, ACR-affiliated researchers reported. 

Video of SNMMI President Cathy Cutler explaining advocacy efforts for nuclear imaging. #SNMMI

Policy reforms in Washington that will impact nuclear imaging

SNMMI President Cathy Cutler, PhD, explains some of the key policy initiatives the society is pursuing to help support the field of nuclear medicine. 

Video of SNMMI President Cathy Cutler explaining the efforts to get U.S. production started for Mo-99 for a domestic supply of nuclear imaging isotopes. #RSNA #SNMMI #RSNA24 #RSNA2024 #isotopeshortage

U.S. moves closer to establishing domestic supply of Mo-99 for nuclear imaging

Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging President, Cathy Cutler, explains the long road to jump-starting a new U.S. domestic supply of imaging isotopes.

Around the web

The patient, who was being cared for in the ICU, was not accompanied or monitored by nursing staff during his exam, despite being sedated.

The nuclear imaging isotope shortage of molybdenum-99 may be over now that the sidelined reactor is restarting. ASNC's president says PET and new SPECT technologies helped cardiac imaging labs better weather the storm.

CMS has more than doubled the CCTA payment rate from $175 to $357.13. The move, expected to have a significant impact on the utilization of cardiac CT, received immediate praise from imaging specialists.