ACR and others have submitted a formal national coverage determination request, asking the agency to address payment gaps for virtual colonoscopies. 

The mandatory bundled payment initiative was slated to kick off Jan. 1, 2023, following numerous delays, but will now launch on a to-be-determined date.

The two companies said the agreement reflects their commitment to combining and desire to fight the Department of Justice's "meritless legal challenge to this merger." 

Radiology Associates of Albuquerque was founded 45 years ago and boasts relationships across nine hospitals. 

Despite the denial, ACR said it will continue fighting “misguided proposed edits,” having scored victories a “significant” percentage of the time.

Provider advocates praised the decision, calling it “one of the greatest success stories in nuclear medicine history.”

Wisconsin lawmakers recently passed the “APRN Modernization Act,” which would greatly expand such nurses' authority, ACR said. 

Congress has provided billions in relief during the public health emergency, and patient volumes continue to rebound, the commission contended.