ACR Urges CMS to Extend Virtual Supervision of Diagnostic Tests

The American College of Radiology® (ACR®) met with at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) leaders Feb. 12, to provide the College’s views on virtual direct supervision of diagnostic tests. The College highlighted the importance of maintaining high patient safety by having specific on-site personnel. ACR voiced support for CMS to permanently extend the definition of direct supervision to permit virtual presence.

CMS allowed virtual presence during the COVID pandemic, but its allowance expires Dec. 31. CMS previously requested stakeholder feedback about whether it should extend the definition of direct supervision to permit virtual presence beyond Dec. 31. ACR previously commented in support of CMS making permanent the rule that allows virtual direct supervision of level 2 diagnostic tests via real-time audio/video communications technology by physicians, as well as non-physician providers in states with laws and scope of practice that permit them to supervise diagnostic tests.

For more information, contact Christina Berry, ACR Team Lead, Economic Policy.