"Instead of Congress making payment adjustments every year, it's time we address the underlying issues and make long-term reforms," said Sen. John Thune. 

When imaging is used to exclude stroke or clarify a diagnosis for secondary prevention, MRI leads to better long-term outcomes and more cost-effective management, experts advised. 

The agency received “considerable interest” in a comment solicitation on this topic, with respondents providing “various insights and potential policy changes.” 

Both sides recently held a bargaining session, with Kaiser labeling the union’s request as “frankly, not reasonable." 

Radiology Business Management Association leaders contend that slashing Medicare reimbursement "ignores overwhelming public wisdom."

ACR said it appreciates the proposal, which is part of the Better Mental Health Care, Lower-Cost Drugs, and Extenders Act. 

The Nashville, Tennessee-based multispecialty group first filed for Chapter 11 in May, seeking to retool its troubled capital structure. 

Physician advocacy groups including the RBMA, ASTRO, MGMA and AMA criticized the final rule, with the latter calling it a "recipe for financial instability."