The American College of Radiology (ACR) is urging Congress to pass the Medicare Patient Access and Practice Stabilization Act of 2024, which was introduced October 29 by a bipartisan group of lawmakers.
The bill aims to eliminate the looming proposed Medicare Physician Fee Schedule conversion factor reduction and adds an update equivalent to half of the Medicare Economic Index for 2025.
ACR CEO Dana Smetherman, MD, stated that Congress "must act" on the bill to increase the conversion factor. The ACR believes this bill will ensure that radiology practices and all healthcare providers can continue to offer high-quality care.
Smetherman added that in the face of increasing costs to provide care and declining reimbursement, the ACR continues to lead a physician and nonphysician provider coalition to support ongoing efforts "that protect patient access to care through sensible reimbursement policies."
“As physician payment legislation continues to evolve, lawmakers must continue to work ... to enact this legislation and Medicare payment reform that stabilizes the practice environment and safeguards patient access to lifesaving care," she said.
