|
ABOUT THE IAC
Principal Staff
Board of Directors
Sponsoring Organizations
Policies & Procedures
THE IAC DIVISIONS
ACCREDITATION
About the Process
Why Accreditation Counts
The Agreement
Accreditation Fees
Accreditation in the News
IAC NEWSLETTER
EXHIBIT SCHEDULE
WEB EVENTS
CONTACT THE IAC
home
Sign Up
To Receive Email
Communications
Get important information
from the IAC
delivered
directly to your
email!
JOIN THE EMAIL LIST>> |
|
IAC
Newsletter
Congress Passes the
Medicare Improvements
for
Patients and Providers Act
NEW LAW SUPPORTS QUALITY PATIENT CARE
THROUGH IMAGING ACCREDITATION REQUIREMENTS
Autumn 2008
The Intersocietal Accreditation Commission (IAC) is pleased to acknowledge that on July 9, 2008, the U.S. Senate passed the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008 (H.R. 6331) which was previously passed by the House. Although the bill was vetoed by President Bush on July 15, it was subsequently overridden by both the House and Senate, turning it into law. This powerful legislation includes a provision requiring the accreditation of imaging facilities as well as the elimination of a scheduled 10.6% payment cut for physicians.
The bill requires that by 2012, providers of advanced diagnostic imaging services, inclusive of Nuclear Medicine, MR, CT and PET, must obtain accreditation as a condition for reimbursement. In addition, it establishes a two-year voluntary program to collect data regarding physician compliance with appropriateness criteria in order to determine the appropriateness of advanced diagnostic imaging services furnished to Medicare beneficiaries.
The passage of this bill marks a turning point in recognizing the importance of quality standards and accreditation for medical imaging on a nationwide basis. The portion of the legislation requiring accreditation stipulates that the accreditation programs must evaluate that physicians and staff maintain the proper level of training and education; that laboratories use imaging equipment which adheres to strict standards of performance and operates under proper safety guidelines; and that all laboratories establish and maintain a quality assurance program, thereby upholding the standards of quality care for patients, particularly senior citizens.
Rita Shugart, RN, RVT, Chairman of the IAC, reflected, “Having offered nationally recognized, voluntary accreditation programs for over 18 years, the IAC applauds Congress’ passage of the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008 and the specific provision requiring imaging facility accreditation. Enactment of this legislation ensures that Medicare patients will receive the benefits of quality diagnostic imaging procedures performed only in accredited laboratories.”
“The IAC is extremely pleased that this legislation will require the accreditation of advanced diagnostic imaging services, on a nationwide basis, among all Medicare providers,” remarked Sandra Katanick, CAE, CEO of the IAC. “We have seen that similar requirements put into place over the past several years by various healthcare insurers and medical specialty societies have indeed improved the quality of the diagnostic testing being provided. Undoubtedly, these payment policies have led to a decrease in repeated and unnecessary testing. Most importantly, the end result of this legislation will be an improvement in the quality of medical care that Medicare beneficiaries receive and deserve.”
Each IAC accrediting division is committed to assisting laboratories with earning accreditation. Additional information regarding IAC accreditation can be obtained through the IAC website at www.intersocietal.org, or by contacting the IAC offices at 800-838-2110.
***
|
