Medicare 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 moreThe American College of Radiology® (ACR®) and 34 medical specialty societies that use or perform interventional pain and spine procedures responded to a systematic review/network meta-analysis, clinical practice guideline, and editorial piece released by the BMJ (formerly the British Medical Journal) that inappropriately recommends against all injections and most radiofrequency neurotomy procedures for chronic back and neck pain. Our societies are concerned about the methodology and conclusions drawn in these publications and their potential impact on patient care.
The College and specialty societies urge the BMJ to retract the guideline publication. Researchers, clinicians and policymakers must recognize the complexity of chronic spine pain and support expanded research and ongoing access to interventional procedures underpinned by rigorous clinical standards. Additional recommendations and policy implications are also outlined in our response.
The statement was submitted for publication in the International Pain and Spine Intervention Society (IPSIS) journal, Interventional Pain Medicine (IPM).
For more information or if you have questions, contact Alicia Blakey, ACR Principal Economic Policy Analyst.
Medicare 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.
Read moreSupreme Court Upholds Preventive Services Coverage
ACR commends the Supreme Court’s ruling affirming the constitutionality of the structure and appointment process of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force.
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