CMS changes radiologist requirement for ASCs

As part of the changes in its recent final rule, CMS has eliminated the requirement that ambulatory surgery centers (ASC) have radiologists on their medical staffs. Instead, ASCs using radiologic services will be required to “appoint an individual qualified in accordance with State law and ASC policies who is responsible for assuring that all radiologic services are provided in accordance with the requirements of this section,” according to the final rule.

“[The] cost of privileging radiologists as members of an ASC's medical staff and paying radiologists' fees for oversight of radiology studies that are limited to those which are integral to a surgical procedure, with the results applied immediately by the operating physician, is often needlessly burdensome,” CMS stated in the Federal Register. CMS estimated the change, which takes effect July 11, will save ASCs $41 million annually.

Source: Federal Register