RBMA Opposes Proposed Medicare Payment Cuts to CT and MRI Services

The Radiology Business Management Association (RBMA) has opposed Medicare payment cuts to CT and MRI services in its comment letters to CMS regarding the agency’s proposed rules for the: (1) Calendar Year (CY) 2014 Medicare Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System (HOPPS) and (2) CY 2014 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS). RBMA pointed out in both comment letters that Medicare’s payments to imaging have been cut 12 times since 2006, nine of which have directly targeted the technical component (TC). CMS’ HOPPS and MPFS final rules are expected on or about November 1, 2013 and the policies contained therein have an effective date of January 1, 2014 unless noted otherwise.