After introducing bipartisan legislation to repeal the 2.3 percent medical device excise tax—which took effect in 2013 before being suspended for two years on Dec. 31, 2015—Reps. Erik Paulsen, R-Minnesota, and Ron Kind D-Wisconsin, were both recognized and applauded by the Medical Imaging and Technology Alliance (MITA).

Women in New York may have an easier time getting a mammogram in 2017, as legislation expanding access to breast cancer screening went into effect on Jan. 1. The law mandates extended screening hours for hospitals and eliminates deductibles and co-payments for all screening and most diagnostic imaging.

In a study conducted by the Harvey L. Nieman Health Policy Institute and published in the Journal of the American College of Radiology, researchers found problems with the current MACRA/MIIPS reporting framework, citing a too-low threshold of patient encounters and surgical codes where radiologists are no longer eligible for certain considerations.

Imaging societies and advocacy groups nearly universally decried CMS’s decision to not revisit Medicare coverage for CT colonography (CTC). CTC has endorsements from major players including the American Cancer Society, American College of Radiology and the Food and Drug Administration.   

The Veteran’s Administration has clarified the scope of authority granted to advanced nurses in a rule originally published in April, adding language that clarified their ability to analyze images. The American College of Radiology (ACR) praised the clarifications, saying, “The ACR commends the VA for maintaining a collaborative, integrated, physician-supervised approach to imaging care.”

As expected, the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA) was a hot topic at RSNA 2016 in Chicago. There were sessions that explained it, writers who covered it, and attendees throughout McCormick Place were talking about it all week. Heck, I’d say MACRA was the most buzzworthy thing to hit Chicago all year, but the World Series-winning Cubs probably still top that list. 

A look ahead at some of 2017’s most significant policy changes

Teaching leadership skills should be done through a radiologist’s residency, allowing those reluctant to lead to get comfortable and make some mistakes in a more protected environment.