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 moreSenate Bill (SB) 148 is awaiting action by the Senate Health Policy Committee. This bill would allow an individual to obtain a written acknowledgment, rather than a certificate of need for the following items, provided they are performed at an outpatient imaging center:
House Bill (HB) 266 died in committee. The bill would have allowed physician assistants (PAs) to practice independently and prescribe drugs.
SB 701 died in committee. This bill would have expanded access to telemedicine services by allowing physicians, advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) and PAS to provide telemedicine services even if they were not licensed in Rhode Island.
HB 3794 died in committee. It would have permitted APRNs to practice independently, including ordering, performing and interpreting diagnostic tests.
HB 4380 died in committee. It would have required a medical physicist to hold a license in MRI physics in order to practice in that medical specialty.
HB 1101 died. The bill would have required healthcare practitioners to notify patients in writing upon referring them to a nonparticipating provider for nonemergency services.
HB 1816 died in committee. It would have prohibited healthcare providers and healthcare insurers from using AI in the delivery of healthcare services or the generation of medical records unless the AI is approved by the FDA and verified by a quality assurance laboratory.
HB 1314 died in committee. It would have prohibited certain insurers, nonprofit health service plans and health maintenance organizations) from using AI to automatically deny prior authorizations. The bill would also prohibit healthcare providers from charging a fee to obtain prior authorization from a carrier or managed care organization).
HB 4018 died in committee. This bill would have prohibited a utilization review agent from using AI as the sole basis of a decision to wholly or partly deny, delay, or modify healthcare services based on medical necessity or appropriateness.
HB 3752 died in committee. It would have directed the Oregon Health Authority to study the reimbursement rates in the state’s medical assistance program.
For more information about these bills or any additional state legislative information, contact Dillon Harp, ACR Senior State Government Relations Specialist.
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.
Read more