The recent decision by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to slash Medicare film-based x-ray payments by 20 percent will have unintended consequences on patient care. CMS omitted language in its proposed payment-reduction rule that would require registered radiologic technologists to perform all radiography procedures billed within the Medicare system. By leaving out a measure requiring registered radiologic technologists to perform procedures, CMS is conceding that uneducated, unqualified and unprepared personnel could perform radiologic technology duties.

Submit your comments to ask CMS to include language in the proposal that would require that only registered radiologic technologists perform radiography procedures billed within the Medicare system. There are two proposed rules:  the physician fee schedule and hospital outpatient prospective payment system. Please submit comments for both proposals.

Access the ASRT advocacy action center for comments you can customize and submit to CMS.

The public comment period is open until Sept. 6, 2016.

Thank you for taking the time to support your profession. By submitting comments to CMS, you’re taking an important step in making sure the federal government knows that only registered radiologic technologists who have the education, skills and experience necessary to ensure safe and accurate exams should perform medical imaging procedures.

Sincerely,

Michael Latimer, M.S.R.S, R.T.(R)
ASRT President