Policy & Regulations

This channel includes news coverage of healthcare policy and regulations set by Congress, the states, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and medical associations and societies.

Dexcom issues new recall for CGM apps due to safety risk—users urged to update immediately
The FDA has categorized this as a Class I recall. If patients update their phone or watch apps as needed, they can continue to use these devices like normal.
Why all heart patients should be vaccinated against the flu, COVID-19, RSV
The American College of Cardiology has shared new recommendations highlighting the protective benefits of a variety of vaccines. The new guidance also examines how to speak with patients who are hesitant to be vaccinated.
Medicare has denied $16M worth of radiology artificial intelligence claims
The federal payment program first started paying for AI in 2018 and has denied about 53% of claims (or 53,857) submitted by radiologists since then, experts detail in JACR.
Members of Congress propose tapping foreign-born physicians to relieve radiology workforce shortages
Lawmakers in both chambers have reintroduced the Healthcare Workforce Resilience Act, touting support from the American Hospital Association and several physician societies.
Medicare opts not to make CT radiation-related quality measure mandatory in 2027
The measure evaluates the proportion of scans that exceed certain thresholds for image noise or radiation dose across 18 categories.

Presidential call to action on cancer screening draws praise from radiology community

ACR chief executive William Thorwarth Jr., MD, said the college sees "real opportunity here for radiology" in the White House's recommendations.

Nuclear Regulatory Commission votes down controversial Authorized User Criteria changes

The proposed plan would have relaxed requirements for handling and administering unsealed radiopharmaceutical materials, which could present safety concerns, the ACR cautioned.

UnitedHealthcare subpoenaed over data breach impacting 22,000 people

The Rhode Island Attorney General's office said "one or more" entities may have diverted from standard information safeguards.

Medicare patients will have access to free at-home COVID tests starting this spring

Under the Biden administration's new mandate, Medicare and Medicare Advantage beneficiaries will be eligible for eight free tests each month.

Cardinal Health will pay $13M to settle kickback allegations

The Ohio-based drug distributor violated the Anti-Kickback Statute by offering to pay physician practices upfront discounts to buy pharmaceuticals paid for by federal health programs, according to the DOJ.

COVID-19 congress coronavirus Washington

American College of Radiology sees opportunity for legislative wins in 2022, despite ‘partisan gridlock’

ACR highlighted clinical labor wage updates and upcoming sequester cuts as two targets in early 2022, hoping to build off advocacy momentum from last year.

Hospital system drops lawsuit over radiology employees quitting to join competitor

ThedaCare recently sued Ascension Northeast Wisconsin, claiming the organization improperly recruited interventional techs and nurses from its Appleton hospital.

71% of radiologists named in a malpractice lawsuit, though numbers are down during pandemic

The number is a drop from the 76% rate recorded in 2019, likely driven by decreased patient volumes and lower court case counts, Medscape reported.

Policy & Regulations

Dexcom issues new recall for CGM apps due to safety risk—users urged to update immediately

Why all heart patients should be vaccinated against the flu, COVID-19, RSV

Medicare has denied $16M worth of radiology artificial intelligence claims

Members of Congress propose tapping foreign-born physicians to relieve radiology workforce shortages

Medicare opts not to make CT radiation-related quality measure mandatory in 2027