The Protecting Access to Medicare Act (PAMA) signed into law in April 2014 was the last “patch” of the SGR and included many implications for imaging providers. Among these are requirements that health care providers comply with the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) XR-29 Standard Attributes on CT Equipment Related to Dose Optimization and Management, also known as MITA Smart Dose. During the summer of 2015, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) and the Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System (HOPPS) proposed rules for public comment outlining how the law will be implemented. The ACR, as well as other professional organizations, submitted detailed comments for their consideration.
The final rule was published at the end of October 2015. This law went into effect on January 1, 2016. Be sure you know what is expected and take action to avoid cuts to your reimbursements.