ACR Statement to Senate Regarding Medicare Payment Reform

The American College of Radiology® (ACR®) recently submitted a statement for the record to the U.S. Senate Committee on Finance related to its April 11 hearing, “Bolstering Chronic Care through Medicare Physician Payment.”

The College reiterated that the current Medicare physician payment system is unsustainable and emphasized the need for adequate technical component reimbursement. In addition to payment issues,

ACR highlighted the current workforce shortage facing radiologists and other physicians.

The College used the statement as an opportunity to also remind Congress of the benefits of simplifying the appropriate use criteria program mandated by the Protecting Access to Medicare Act (PAMA) of 2014. Once implemented, PAMA would decrease unnecessary imaging while providing a meaningful utilization tool to lower costs and improve patient care.

ACR will continue to monitor all developments surrounding Medicare physician payment reform. For more information or if there are questions, contact Rebecca Spangler, ACR Senior Government Relations Director.