Medicare Access to Radiology Care Act of 2026
- Bill Number
- H.R. 9984
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Health
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-07-30: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- Last Updated
- 2026-08-25T22:01:35Z
AI-Generated Summary
Medicare Access to Radiology Care Act of 2026 (H.R. 9984)
Purpose of the Legislation
This bill amends title XVIII of the Social Security Act to allow Medicare to pay for services provided by radiologist assistants when working under the supervision of a radiologist. It aims to improve patient access to radiology care by recognizing these services within the Medicare program.
Key Provisions Outlined
- Coverage Addition: Adds radiologist assistant services to the list of covered Medicare services under section 1861(s)(2)(K).
- Definitions:
- Radiologist assistant services include tasks that would qualify as physician services if performed by a doctor, but are done by a certified radiologist assistant under radiologist supervision, authorized by state law, and without other providers billing for the same services.
- Radiologist assistant refers to a radiographer certified by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists.
- Payment Rules:
- Payments follow the physician fee schedule and are made to the supervising radiologist in hospital, critical access hospital, or ambulatory surgical center settings.
- Existing payment for the technical component of imaging services remains unchanged.
- Effective Date: Applies to services furnished on or after January 1, 2027.
Significant Changes to Existing Law Introduced
- Prior to this bill, Medicare did not have a specific mechanism to cover or reimburse radiologist assistant services separately.
- The changes integrate these services into Medicare coverage, directing payment to the supervising radiologist rather than allowing direct billing by the assistant.
- It specifies that services must occur in designated facility settings and does not alter payments for services personally performed by radiologists.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services would need to update payment systems and guidelines to process claims for these services, potentially increasing administrative workload.
- On Citizens: Medicare beneficiaries may experience improved access to radiology procedures through expanded team-based care, though services remain limited to supervised settings.
- On International Relations: No direct effects identified, as the legislation focuses solely on domestic Medicare policy.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Radiologists and radiologist assistants, who gain clearer reimbursement pathways.
- Medicare beneficiaries needing radiology care.
- Hospitals, critical access hospitals, and ambulatory surgical centers, where services would be furnished.
- The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, responsible for implementation.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- The bill modifies the Social Security Act to expand Medicare benefits without altering state licensing requirements or allowing independent practice by assistants.
- No apparent constitutional concerns, as it operates within Congress's authority over federal health programs.
- It emphasizes radiologist supervision to maintain existing professional standards in medical imaging.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (1)
Recent Actions
- 2026-07-30: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2026-07-30: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2026-07-30: Introduced in House
- 2026-07-30: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Medicare Access to Radiology Care Act of 2026 — issued 2026-07-30 — PDF (7 pages)