Getting paid: Look out for deeper TC cuts on many contiguous MRI, CT and U/S services

Why This Topic Matters

It helps readers identify a Medicare payment policy change affecting high-priced imaging services, understand where to find the related Medicare file indicators, and recognize that the update applies only in specific multi-procedure imaging situations.

Article Sections

1. Overview of the Medicare imaging payment change

   Introduces the Medicare payment update and the general types of imaging services affected. It also notes the timing and the CMS source of the change.

2. How the change affects multiple imaging studies in one session

   Describes the policy focus on same-session imaging services and the distinction between technical and professional components. It explains that the update applies within certain imaging families.

3. Example involving spinal MRI services

   Provides an example using spinal MRI studies to illustrate the affected service grouping. The example is presented to show how the article frames the payment change in practice.

4. Where to find the affected codes in Medicare files

   Points readers to the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Relative Value File and the relevant indicators used to identify impacted imaging services. It also references the family assignments used by Medicare.

5. Services not affected by the reduction

   Explains that some imaging studies may appear related but belong to different imaging families. The section includes a comparison example involving head/brain and spine imaging.

6. Professional component remains unchanged

   Notes that the professional component is not changed by the policy update. The section distinguishes this payment component from the technical component discussed elsewhere in the article.