Two years after going into effect, the 2.3% medical device tax imposed by the Affordable Care Act continues to generate controversy as well as continued calls for its repeal. The present Congress, for example, has seen the introduction of the Protect Medical Innovation Act of 2015, which would repeal the tax retroactively to its first year of implementation in 2013. Gregory Sorensen, MD, the CEO and president of Siemens Healthcare North America, recently took some time to talk with RadiologyBusiness.com about his company’s opposition to the tax.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Thursday issued a final national coverage determination for Medicare coverage of screening for lung cancer with low dose computed tomography (LDCT).  Coverage is to go into effect immediately. 

Independent private physician practices and hospitals may find themselves on opposite sides of the debate over President Obama's 2016 budget proposal to equalize Medicare rates for services provided in hospital outpatient departments (HOPD) and physician offices—with projected savings of $29.5 billion over 10 years.

Melody W. Mulaik, MSHS, CRA, FAHRA, RCC, CPC, CPC-H, president, Coding Strategies, Inc, will present two coding and remibursement seminars on consecutive days: February 18 and Fruary 19, from 1 to 3 PM, EST.

Why do most radiologists choose not to participate in the Medicare/Medicaid EHR Incentive program? According to a recent survey of radiologists taken by the American College of Radiology (ACR) government relations department, hospital and practice issues outside of a radiologist’s control is the greatest barrier to his or her participation in the Meaningful Use program.

Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder has signed Michigan’s breast density bill, making his state the 21st in the nation to enact breast density notification legislation. The law goes into effect June 1, 2015.

A bi-partisan group of ten senators—five Republicans and five Democrats—have introduced legislation to repeal the medical device tax, suggesting that momentum is increasing behind efforts to eliminate the 2.3% tax. 

Rep. Renee Elmers (R-N.C.) has reintroduced the Flex-IT Act, which would, if quickly enacted, give providers a three-month Meaningful Use reporting period in 2015.