Medicare Imaging Orders: Exemptions for Screenings and Rural Practices.
This Act modifies Medicare rules for ordering advanced imaging services (like CTs and MRIs) by introducing new exemptions from the mandatory consultation of clinical decision support tools. The goal is to reduce administrative burdens for doctors in small and rural practices and ensure faster access to essential screenings. Starting in 2026, the government will increase monitoring of doctors who consistently fail to follow these guidelines.
Key points
New Exemptions: The requirement to consult clinical decision support tools is removed for specific services, including mammography, lung cancer screening, CT colonography, and orders placed by professionals in small or rural practices.
Increased Physician Monitoring: Starting in 2026, the government will identify "low compliant" ordering professionals. Future reports will explore mechanisms like mandatory prior authorization for these doctors.
Data Reporting Shift: Clinical Decision Support Mechanisms (CDSMs) will be required to report consultation data directly to the government, streamlining the administrative process.
Introduced
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