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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Prior authorization a ‘major contributor’ to radiologists’ mounting administrative burdens, ACR tells Congress

Amid specialist shortages and imaging backlogs, members of the U.S. Senate are seeking ways to ease the stress endured by physicians.

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Radvocates applaud bipartisan bill that would end decade-long decline in Medicare reimbursement

The Radiation Oncology Case Rate Value-Based Program Act of 2024 would build on the shelved RO Model and save the federal payment program $200M. 

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Private equity firm, accused of trying to build a monopoly in radiology, dismissed as defendant in FTC lawsuit

The commission sued Welsh Carson in September, claiming the New York investment outfit and US Anesthesia Partners have perpetrated an “anticompetive scheme” to drive up prices.

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National Labor Relations Board claims RadNet skirted order to rehire laid off union worker

The Los Angeles-based imaging center operator issued a statement disputing the ruling and highlighting plans to fight it in court. 

Patient advocacy groups urge Congress to create pathway for CMS to cover AI in radiology

The FDA has OK'd nearly 900 AI-enabled medical devices, but CMS has only assigned payment for about 10 of them. 

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Radiologists should oppose the FTC’s noncompete ban, healthcare legal expert contends

Attorney Tom Greeson criticized the American College of Emergency Physicians for supporting the ban, believing it “weakens their membership,” and urged ACR and the RBMA to do the opposite. 
 

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White House highlights actions taken by RadNet, Siemens Healthineers as signs of Biden Cancer Moonshot progress

“These accomplishments deliver significant progress toward addressing President Biden’s goal to end cancer as we know it." 

Senator Roger Marshall

Lawmakers introduce bipartisan bill granting due process rights to contracted radiologists

UPDATED: Currently, such rights—to a fair process before termination, restriction or reduction of professional activities—are not offered to all physicians. 

Around the web

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.

The all-in-one Omni Legend PET/CT scanner is now being manufactured in a new production facility in Waukesha, Wisconsin.