Radiology’s Fight Against Prior Authorization Delays
ACR is leading national efforts to make prior authorization more efficient and clinically appropriate while reducing the administrative burden and supporting national legislation.
Read moreMain Content
ACR, Others Challenge MAC Position on Minimally Invasive Arthrodesis of the Sacroiliac Joint
Feb. 21, 2025
The American College of Radiology® (ACR®) and other medical specialty societies that use or perform interventional pain and spine procedures told three of the seven Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs) that implementation of a new policy as written could limit access to a safe, effective and durable treatment option, potentially exacerbating healthcare disparities among Medicare patients.
Celerian Group Company Administrators, LLC, Noridian Healthcare Solutions, LLC, and Palmetto GBA released final local coverage determinations (LCDs) about Minimally Invasive Arthrodesis of the Sacroiliac Joint that say, “Minimally Invasive (MI) Arthrodesis of the sacroiliac joint (SIJ) WITHOUT placement of a transfixation device is NOT considered medically reasonable and necessary.”
The College and specialty societies urge the MACs to withdraw these LCDs before April 17, when they are scheduled to take effect, and be given the opportunity to update them related to nuances in Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes 27278 and 27279 and reporting practices. The ACR Contractor Advisory Committee Network representatives continue to monitor local coverage activities and address concerns that will adversely impact the interventional radiology community.
For more information about local coverage determination activities or questions, contact Alicia Blakey, ACR Principal Economic Policy Analyst.
Celerian Group Company Administrators, LLC, Noridian Healthcare Solutions, LLC, and Palmetto GBA released final local coverage determinations (LCDs) about Minimally Invasive Arthrodesis of the Sacroiliac Joint that say, “Minimally Invasive (MI) Arthrodesis of the sacroiliac joint (SIJ) WITHOUT placement of a transfixation device is NOT considered medically reasonable and necessary.”
The College and specialty societies urge the MACs to withdraw these LCDs before April 17, when they are scheduled to take effect, and be given the opportunity to update them related to nuances in Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes 27278 and 27279 and reporting practices. The ACR Contractor Advisory Committee Network representatives continue to monitor local coverage activities and address concerns that will adversely impact the interventional radiology community.
For more information about local coverage determination activities or questions, contact Alicia Blakey, ACR Principal Economic Policy Analyst.
Related ACR News
ACR Supports Medicaid Coverage of Lung Cancer Screening
ACR-backed bill would mandate Medicaid lung cancer screening, expand cessation coverage, ban prior auth—aiming to save lives and reduce disparities.
Read morePatient-Centered Imaging Care Led by Radiologists
ACR helps its state chapters fight scope of practice expansion, such as helping to oppose bills in state legislatures that would allow non-physicians to practice independently.
Read more