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.

Senate bounces spending bill back to House with 2.5% Medicare rad pay fix
In addition, there are no restrictions on pass-through entity taxes (PTET), which “benefits independent physician practices,” one expert notes.
Medicare cost-cutting initiative targets ‘wasteful, inappropriate’ interventional radiology services
IRs criticized the CMS proposal, believing it could lead to excess morbidity and mortality in Medicare.
103K Medicare beneficiaries issued new IDs after ‘data incident’ at CMS
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services said “malicious actors” created fake accounts for Medicare beneficiaries through the agency’s patient portal, using stolen data from an unknown source. The incident is being investigated.
FDA announces recall of Baxter infusion pumps with mismatched software
Spectrum V8 and V6 infusion pumps may have accidentally had their software switched, which could result in underinfusion or a fluid overload. While no injuries have been reported, for safety the affected pumps need to be removed from where they are used and sold.
Medtronic’s new ECMO system receives a key approval
According to Medtronic, its VitalFlow ECMO system was designed and developed with the user experience in mind.

New CPT code to help radiology practices report additional costs stemming from COVID care

Approved for immediate use beginning Sept. 8, code 99072 covers any additional supplies, materials or clinical staff time used during the pandemic.

Alleged Stark violations, kickbacks to cost hospital $50M

A 223-bed acute care institution with a medical staff of nearly 300 physicians has agreed to pay $50 million over allegations it deliberately submitted ineligible claims to Medicare and profited handsomely by these actions.

75% of multiple sclerosis patients experiencing ‘financial toxicity,’ radiology experts warn

Researchers with Emory University and the Harvey L Neiman Health Policy Institute polled hundreds of patients to reach their conclusions.

4 hurdles thwarting AI from conquering clinical practice

AI will not earn a place in the daily practice of medicine until its developers definitively answer some pressing questions on fitness and appropriateness.

CMS’ move to abolish ‘valley of death’ between FDA approval, Medicare imaging coverage draws praise

The proposed "Medicare Coverage of Innovative Technology" pathway would bolster both innovation and patient outcomes, industry lobbyists said.

Radiologist, mask skeptic and COVID contrarian raising eyebrows at White House: ‘It’s a catastrophe’

Scott Atlas, MD, recently joined the Trump administration and has reportedly embraced a "herd immunity" approach to the pandemic, a claim the White House vehemently denied.

Feds cancel controversial ventilator contract in which US allegedly overpaid Philips by $500M

CEO Frans van Houten said the Amsterdam-based imaging giant is "disappointed" in the decision but plans to work with HHS to "effectuate the partial termination" of the deal.

Medicare Advantage plans failing to collect info on imaging referrers, opening door for fraud

CMS must take action to address this issue, including rejecting records that do not identify referrers, the OIG urged.

Policy & Regulations

Senate bounces spending bill back to House with 2.5% Medicare rad pay fix

Medicare cost-cutting initiative targets ‘wasteful, inappropriate’ interventional radiology services

103K Medicare beneficiaries issued new IDs after ‘data incident’ at CMS

FDA announces recall of Baxter infusion pumps with mismatched software

Medtronic’s new ECMO system receives a key approval