Radiology societies issue ‘call to action’ against looming threat to physician offices’ financial viability

Radiology societies issued a “call to action” this week, urging the specialty to help fight a looming threat to physician offices’ financial viability.

The American College of Radiology highlighted the campaign on Thursday, June 8, noting that it has worked alongside like-minded groups to educate the Biden administration about this impediment to patient access. They’re concerned about forthcoming cuts in the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule that will impact specialties with high equipment costs, such as interventional radiology and radiation oncology.

“Office-based specialty care is critical and important for patient access, especially in underserved areas,” the Radiology Advocacy Network said in the call to action, urging radiologists to reach out to their local representatives. “Unfortunately, the prolonged instability within the MPFS threatens the financial viability of community, office-based physician practices.”

ACR, the Society of Interventional Radiology, and the American Society for Radiation Oncology are  hoping to drum up support for H.R. 3674, introduced by bipartisan members of the U.S. House on May 25. The Providing Relief and Stability for Medicare Patients Act would increase nonfacility practice expense RVUs for procedures performed in office settings that require high-tech devices or equipment. Currently, Medicare payment for clinical labor, medical supplies and equipment costs are “budget neutral,” meaning an increase in one leads to cuts for another.

The bill has four initial sponsors: Reps. Gus Bilirakis, R-Fla., Tony Cárdenas, D-Calif., Danny Davis, D-Ill., and Greg Murphy R-N.C., who also is an MD. ACR, ASTRO and SIR are asking physicians to phone or write representatives to increase the total.

“This bipartisan legislation will mitigate practice expense cuts but only if you make your voice heard by participating in the call to action,” the announcement concluded.