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. 

Thumbnail

Members of Congress urge CMS not to change payments for radiation therapy

More than 200 members of Congress have signed letters urging CMS not to go through with the change to payments for radiation oncology services included in its 2016 Medicare Physician Free Schedule (MPFS) proposed rule. 

FDA announces new patient engagement committee

In a recent blog entry, the FDA unveiled its new Patient Engagement Advisory Committee (PEAC), a group which will give the FDA commissioner input on issues related to medical devices and device regulations. 

AHRA responds to MPFS proposed rule

AHRA has submitted its response to the 2016 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) proposed rule, recommending a one-year delay before new XR-29 requirements are enforced and requesting additional information on clinical decision support (CDS) implementation.

DEA decision makes diagnostic agent more widely available

Diagnostic agent DaTscan (Ioflupane I 123 Injection) is no longer listed as a Schedule II controlled substance under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), making it more readily available for use in the diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease.

New ACR document helps providers with XR-29 compliance

The American College of Radiology (ACR) has shared a new FAQ that helps healthcare providers make sure their CT equipment is compliant with the XR-29-2013 standard, also known as Smart Dose CT. 

Illinois breast tomosynthesis bill signed into law

Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner signed a bill into law last month adding breast tomosynthesis to the list of procedures that must be covered by health insurance plans.

2009 recommendations led to lower screening rates for women 65+

The 2009 U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) breast cancer screening recommendations were followed by a noticeable decrease in screening rates for women ages 65 and older, according to a study published in Women’s Health Issues.

AdvaMed, MDMA & MITA commend House passage of legislation to repeal the medical device tax

The Advanced Medical Technology Association (AdvaMed), the Medical Device Manufacturers Association (MDMA) and the Medical Imaging & Technology Alliance (MITA), a division of National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA), today commended the House of Representatives for passing legislation to repeal the medical device excise tax. The legislation, H.R. 160 “The Protect Medical Innovation Act,” passed with a vote of 280 to 140.

Around the web

After reviewing years of data from its clinic, one institution discovered that issues with implant data integrity frequently put patients at risk. 

Prior to the final proposal’s release, the American College of Radiology reached out to CMS to offer its recommendations on payment rates for five out of the six the new codes.

“Before these CPT codes there was no real acknowledgment of the additional burden borne by the providers who accepted these patients."

Trimed Popup
Trimed Popup