The American College of Radiology® (ACR®) Contractor Advisory Committee (CAC) Network, chaired by Sammy Chu, MD, FACR, and Laeton Pang, MD, FACR, convened virtually to reflect on 2021 and discuss items of importance for 2022. Consisting of more than 150 appointed representatives and alternates, the CAC network identifies, reviews, and comments on draft local coverage determination policies (LCD) and associated billing and coding articles to help identify the best interests of the radiology community and ensure the implementation of appropriate policies.
Meeting attendees discussed local coverage successes and challenges and participated in an open forum to reflect on multijurisdictional CAC meetings and engagement with contractor medical directors over the past year.
The ACR remains concerned with the lack of physician engagement in the LCD process and continues to seek resolution with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. We continue to advocate on behalf of our members and the patients they serve. If you find that Medicare coverage policies too restrictive or not current with practice patterns, please consider joining the ACR CAC Network.
2022 LCD topics relevant to radiologists:
- Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography (CCTA).
- Computed Tomography (CT) of the Abdomen and Pelvis.
- Epidural Steroid Injections for Pain Management.
- Facet Joint Interventions for Pain Management.
- Magnetic Resonance-Guided Focused Ultrasound Surgery System (MRgFUS) for the Treatment of neurologic Conditions.
- Non-Invasive Fractional Flow Reserve (FFR) for Stable Ischemic Heart Disease.
- Percutaneous Vertebral Augmentation (PVA) for Vertebral Compression Fracture (VCF).
- Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Scans Used for Oncologic Conditions.
- Sacroiliac Joint Injections and Procedures (proposed LCD release expected in late 2022).
If you have questions or would like more information about local coverage policies and activities, contact Alicia Blakey, ACR Principal Economic Policy Analyst.