Watch out for pay cuts on your MRI, CT and U/S services

Why This Topic Matters

Imaging billing can be affected when multiple studies are performed together, so practices need to know which services fall under Medicare’s payment update and where to verify the applicable indicators in the fee schedule files.

Article Sections

1. Medicare imaging payment change

   Introduces the Medicare update affecting certain diagnostic imaging services performed in the same session and identifies the general policy area involved.

2. Affected imaging services and payment components

   Summarizes the imaging modalities and billing components discussed in connection with the revised payment treatment.

3. Example of same-session imaging

   Provides a broad illustrative example showing how the policy is discussed in relation to multiple studies performed together.

4. How to identify impacted codes in CMS reference files

   Describes the Medicare fee schedule resources and indicators referenced for identifying which diagnostic imaging services are included.

5. Non-affected family combinations

   Explains, at a high level, that the article contrasts services in different imaging families that are not treated the same way under the policy.

6. Professional component treatment

   Notes the article’s discussion of how the professional component is treated under the Medicare update.

7. Official resources

   Lists the CMS materials and reference links provided for readers who want to review the underlying guidance.