ACCF Releases New Appropriate Use Criteria (AUC) Standards
for Peripheral Vascular Ultrasound and Physiological Testing
JUNE 2012 | The ACC Foundation (ACCF), in partnership with 10 other leading professional societies, released its newest set of appropriate use criteria (AUC) on June 11, this time focused on peripheral vascular ultrasound and physiological testing. Read more on the ACC website»
To review the new standards, visit the Journal of the American College of Cardiology online»
Countdown to MIPPA, continued: Who are the accreditors?
OCTOBER 2011 | It's coming: On January 1, 2012 -- less than three months from now — all healthcare providers who bill for the technical component of advanced imaging services must be accredited under 2008's Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act (MIPPA). But who are the accreditors? And what do they want from your imaging facility?
Source: AuntMinne.com
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Recent study demonstrates discrepancies in
nuclear cardiology reporting yet improvement through
ongoing participation in ICANL accreditation process
JUNE 28, 2011 | A new study utilizing data from the Intersocietal Commission
for the Accreditation of Nuclear Medicine Laboratories (ICANL) suggests that while
non-compliance with reporting standards is found in the majority of nuclear cardiology
laboratories throughout the U.S., those facilities participating in the ICANL accreditation
process demonstrate an increase in compliance over time.
Read the article»
ICANL Report - Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
JUNE 2011 |
With the January 1, 2012, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) accreditation mandate
quickly approaching, the Intersocietal
Accreditation Commission (ICAVL,
ICAEL, ICANL, ICAMRL, ICACTL,
and ICACSF) and the Society of Nuclear Medicine cosponsored a webinar in mid May to address the
multitude of questions related to the
upcoming deadline. At this time, the
requirements of the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers
Act (MIPPA) apply only to freestanding imaging centers. All nonhospital
suppliers of the technical component
of advanced diagnostic imaging services, inclusive of nuclear medicine,
Source: Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology - Vol. 39, No. 2
Read the article»
MIPPA: Are You Accredited Yet?
MAY 2011 | On the first day of 2012, private outpatient imaging centers providing MRI, CT, PET exams and nuclear medicine procedures will need accreditation for Medicare to reimburse for the technical component under Part B of the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, as required by the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act (MIPPA).
Are providers ready?
We asked the three designated accreditation agencies: Joint Commission, the American College of Radiology (ACR), and the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission (IAC).
Source: DiagnosticImaging.com, May 2011 Issue
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Health 411: There are limits to how much a doctor or hospital may charge for medical
MAY 2011 | My doctor wants me to visit a private facility for several CT scans. I know that this facility is near a hospital that was involved in radiation overexposure of patients because equipment was not properly calibrated. How can a prospective consumer find out if an imaging center is safe?
There is no one place consumers can go to check on the quality of imaging centers. Still, there are resources to help evaluate if the provider delivers quality care.
Source: Health 411 Column, May 16, 2011
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What’s Happening with Lab Accreditation
Process and Requirements
MARCH 2011 | SDMS is a strong proponent of lab
accreditation. SDMS’s policy statement on
accreditation says that the “SDMS supports
accreditation by a nationally recognized
accrediting body of all facilities and clinical
practices that employ sonographers and
provide sonographic services for diagnostic or
screening purposes.” Additionally, the SDMS
believes that all sonographers in an accredited
facility should be credentialed in each of the
sonographic specialties in which they provide
Source: SDMS NewsWave, March 2011 Issue
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Imaging at a Crossroads:
CT scan providers urged to initiate accreditation
MARCH 2011 | Otolaryngologists who provide computed tomography (CT) imaging are being urged to apply before summer to ensure their compliance with the 2008 Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act (MIPPA) accreditation requirement.Section 135(a) of MIPPA stipulates that as of Jan. 1, 2012, all suppliers who furnish the technical component of advanced diagnostic imaging (ADI) and bill under the physician fee schedule must be accredited in order to receive payment from CMS/Medicare (Federal Register, Nov. 25, 2009; Vol. 74, No. 226, p. 61865).
Source: ENTToday, March 2011 Issue
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The Clock's Ticking: Advanced Imaging Accreditation
With less than a year left to get accredited, it's time to weigh the options
FEBRUARY 2011 | By Jan. 1, 2012, imaging centers, office based-physicians and independent diagnostic testing facilities that bill for the technical components of CT, MRI, PET and nuclear medicine exams will need to carry the stamp of approval from one of the authorized advanced imaging accreditation bodies in order to continue receiving Medicare reimbursements. With time running out, imaging experts urge applicants to begin the accreditation process as soon as possible – it may take months to complete, and some facilities are at risk of failing on their first try. But before jumping into the process, providers must first choose their preferred accreditation organization. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services instilled three organizations with the power to accredit facilities. Each organization goes about the accreditation process differently.
Source: DOTmed Business News
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FDA to Consider Expanding Indication for Carotid Stenting to Standard-Risk
Surgical Patients
JANUARY 2011 | Should patients at standard risk for adverse events from carotid endarterectomy be treated with carotid artery stenting? That
is the question a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advisory panel will grapple with this Wednesday as panel members gather to make recommendations and vote
on an expanded indication for the RX Acculink Carotid Stent System (Abbott, Abbott Park, IL).
Source: heartwire/Medscape.com
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MIPPA Accreditation Countdown: ACR, IAC, or Joint Commission?
SEPTEMBER 2010 | In 2008, when Congress passed the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act (MIPPA), the January 2012 accreditation deadline for providers of advanced imaging seemed distant, but it’s near enough to call for action now. For those advanced diagnostic imaging services (ADIS) providers still unaccredited, the choices available in accrediting bodies have also become clear since the law passed: The ACR®, the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission (IAC), and the Joint Commission are the only accrediting organizations approved by CMS to handle MIPPA accreditations.
Source: Radiology Business Journal/ImagingBiz.com
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Raising the Bar for Lower Dose — A Credible Edge
AUGUST 2010 | Accreditation promises many benefits including a chance to build trust with parents and referring physicians.
On January 1, 2012, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) will require imaging centers that offer advanced imaging services to get accreditation from one of three CMS-designated bodies if they want to continue to receive reimbursement for the procedures from CMS. And since third-party payors often follow CMS' lead, these reimbursements are likely to be impacted as well. With CMS, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the medical community itself paying more attention to radiation dose, accreditation provides a way to ensure and advertise safety, which can be an advantage in drawing referring physicians and concerned parents.
Source:Imaging Economics
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MIPPA Accreditation: 20 Months to Go
APRIL 2010 | As the deadline inches closer, radiology providers around the country are scrambling to meet new CMS accreditation requirements for MRI, CT, and nuclear medicine. By mandate of the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act (MIPPA), in order to receive Medicare reimbursement for these modalities, imaging centers must be accredited by the Joint Commission, the ACR®, or the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission (IAC) on January 1, 2012.
Source:Medical Imaging Review
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CMS Backs Opposing Imaging Center Accreditation Plans
MARCH 2010 | Two approved organizations focus on image quality while third focuses on processes and procedures. Source: DiagnosticImaging.com
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IAC Receives Designation by CMS as Accrediting Organization for MIPPA
JANUARY 2010 | As part of the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act (MIPPA), by January 1, 2012, all nonhospital providers of advanced diagnostic imaging, inclusive of Nuclear Medicine, MR, CT and PET, must obtain accreditation as a condition for reimbursement.
Read the press release»
CMS Announces Approved Radiology Accrediting Organizations
JANUARY 2010 | The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced that the American College of Radiology (ACR), the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission (IAC), and The Joint Commission (TJC) have been approved as the exclusive accrediting organizations for compliance with the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008 (MIPPA). Source: Imaging Economics
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CMS Imaging Accreditation Decision Allows Continued Self-Referral
JANUARY 2010 | The American College of Cardiology (ACC) answers FAQs about meeting the MIPPA requirement. Source: CardioSource — American College of Cardiology
Read the article»
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