Legislation targets imaging self-referral
Last week, Congresswoman Jackie Speier (D-Calif.) re-introduced to the U.S. House of Representatives the Integrity in Medicare Advanced Diagnostic Imaging Act of 2011 (HR 1476). The bill aims to curb self-referrals for advanced imaging studies.
The proposed legislation seeks to close the in-office ancillary service exception for advanced imaging services such as MRI, CT and PET. Congressman Anthony Weiner (D-NY) originally co-sponsored the bill in the House of Representatives in 2009.
Upon introduction of HR 1476, Speier stated, “The financial interest of physicians should not be a determining factor in prescribing care for patients. It is terrible to think that this loophole is being abused to enrich doctors while their patients are being unnecessarily exposed to radiation. This bill puts patients first and potentially saves the government billions of dollars in wasteful expenditures.”
The American College of Radiology has indicated its support for the proposal and pledged to work with Speier and Weiner to gather additional co-sponsors.
The proposed legislation seeks to close the in-office ancillary service exception for advanced imaging services such as MRI, CT and PET. Congressman Anthony Weiner (D-NY) originally co-sponsored the bill in the House of Representatives in 2009.
Upon introduction of HR 1476, Speier stated, “The financial interest of physicians should not be a determining factor in prescribing care for patients. It is terrible to think that this loophole is being abused to enrich doctors while their patients are being unnecessarily exposed to radiation. This bill puts patients first and potentially saves the government billions of dollars in wasteful expenditures.”
The American College of Radiology has indicated its support for the proposal and pledged to work with Speier and Weiner to gather additional co-sponsors.