State Legislative Bills Report
As most state legislatures end their 2025 sessions and look to 2026, ACR staff is looking at how some radiology-specific bills they tracked fared this year.
Read moreThe Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) met virtually Sept. 7–8 to discuss several payment policies. MedPAC is a non-partisan, independent legislative branch commission created to advise Congress about Medicare-related issues.
Commissioners discussed the draft chapter that describes Medicare’s overall financial situation. Medicare spending is projected to grow by 7 to 8% per year, on average, from 2022 to 2031. Medicare spending growth is driven by three factors: inflation, growth in number of beneficiaries, and growth in the volume and intensity of services delivered per beneficiary. When Medicare increases payment rates for providers, it increases beneficiaries’ premiums and cost sharing.
Commissioners also discussed Medicare Advantage (MA) topics, as MedPAC is planning to include several related chapters in next year’s reports to Congress, including standardizing benefits in MA plans and improving MedPAC’s estimate of MA coding intensity. Commissioners shared their concerns about the differences between fee-for-service Medicare and the MA program for frail beneficiaries, suggestions to look further into the quality data of MA programs, and policy options of potential standardization of various MA plans.
For questions, contact Kimberly Greck, American College of Radiology®(ACR®) Senior Economic Policy Analyst.
State Legislative Bills Report
As most state legislatures end their 2025 sessions and look to 2026, ACR staff is looking at how some radiology-specific bills they tracked fared this year.
Read moreMedicare Payment Increase in Final Budget Reconciliation Bill
The bill includes a 2.5% increase to the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule for calendar year 2026.
Read moreCMS Announces Prior Authorization Test Model
WiSer is a six-year program that will begin in six states on January 1, 2026. It will introduce prior authorization using AI technology for a select number of services, including some IR procedures.
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