U.S. Rep. Dave Reichert is one of four sponsors of legislation in Congress that calls for Medicare coverage of qualified radiology assistant (RA) services.
Reichert and the co-sponsors said HR 1148, the Medicare Access to Radiology Care Act, would promote more efficient healthcare for seniors and help alleviate doctor shortages through the use of RAs.
“RAs are highly trained and skilled professionals who have mastered complex technologies and understand how to best serve radiology patients in a safe and effective manner,” said Reichert, a Republican from the Eighth District that includes parts of eastern King and Pierce counties. “Making certain that their services are covered by Medicare is merely common-sense, and passage of this legislation would play an essential role in improving and increasing patient access to radiology services.”
The legislation, which was introduced March 14, is supported by 40 local and national groups representing radiologists. According to Reichert, an Enumclaw radiologist supports its attempt to give Medicare patients “access to the same level of high-quality imaging services that other patients receive.”
If HR 1148 becomes law, RAs would be recognized as a non-physician Medicare provider and be covered by Medicare for their services. State law would continue to govern the scope of practice and supervision requirements for RAs, and supervising radiologists would continue to bill and receive payment for RA-performed services. The legislation would also require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to report to Congress by Jan. 1, 2018 on patient satisfaction and the clinical and operational effectiveness of using RAs.
Radiologists use imaging technologies such as X-ray radiography, ultrasound, computed tomography (CT), nuclear medicine, positron emission tomography (PET) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to diagnose or treat diseases