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.

breast radiologist breast cancer mammography

Bills in both chambers of Congress would protect payment for mammography screenings before age 50

Millions of women stand to lose breast cancer screening benefits if lawmakers fail to extend the moratorium on honoring controversial USPSTF recommendations.

quality imaging appropriateness clinical decision support CAS AUC

Lawmakers urge CMS to reexamine long-delayed imaging Appropriate Use Criteria program

The quality initiative has been pushed back several times, and some are concerned that it's no longer relevant and duplicates other efforts.

Physicians want Congress to calm ‘deepening alarm’ over 2022 Medicare practice pay cuts

Providers potentially face a 9.75% reimbursement reduction unless lawmakers intervene, advocates wrote in a recent letter to House and Senate leaders.

Bipartisan bill would bolster Medicare patients’ access to diagnostic imaging agents

Federal payment rules prevent certain providers from affording such radiopharmaceuticals, leaving many without access to cutting-edge diagnostics, lawmakers said.

CMS dropping coverage restrictions around PET imaging outside of oncology care

The noncoverage determination dates to 2000, when CMS enacted broad, national restrictions for using positron emission tomography scans outside of cancer treatment.

Hospitals dodging imaging price transparency rule could face fines as high as $2M, CMS says

The federal agency began requiring institutions to provide upfront pricing for radiology services on Jan. 1, but many have ignored the mandate, officials said.

healthcare value value-based care money dollar

Only 5.6% of hospitals comply with price transparency rule

The vast majority of hospitals are not following through on a recent requirement to publish their list prices online, according to a recent study from PatientRightsAdvocate.com.

CMS may charge hospitals for not posting prices online

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has proposed charging hospitals that fail to post their list prices online as required.

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