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IAC Newsletter

Breaking News: IAC Commends the U.S. Congress for Passing the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act
Summer 2008

Released July 16, 2008 - Medicare Bill Supports Quality Patient Care through Imaging Accreditation Requirements

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 over ridden 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.”

The IAC is a national, nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting quality health care by providing a peer review process of accreditation designed to evaluate and accredit diagnostic imaging facilities, with the goal of improving the quality of patient care provided in private offices, clinics and hospitals where such medical tests are provided. Currently there are five accrediting divisions within the IAC, providing accreditation for facilities performing noninvasive vascular testing (ICAVL), echocardiography (ICAEL), nuclear cardiology, general nuclear medicine, and/or PET imaging (ICANL), magnetic resonance imaging (ICAMRL), and CT scanning (ICACTL). Each division, having developed a comprehensive, peer-review accreditation program and imaging standards for its respective area of diagnostic testing, is nationally recognized for providing a process by which laboratories may demonstrate their commitment to quality care.

Each IAC accrediting accreditation division is committed to assisting laboratories with earning accreditation. IAC staff includes both clinical and administrative professionals who are ready to answer all questions related to the accreditation process. 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.

>Read the article on DiagnosticImaging.com.

Have Questions About IAC Accreditation?

For help and information regarding the accreditation process of IAC and its divisions (ICAVL, ICAEL, ICANL, ICAMRL, ICACTL), laboratories are encouraged to visit the website at www.intersocietal.org. Personalized assistance with the accreditation process can be obtained by calling the office at 800-838-2110. Or contact us via email using the online staff directories; from any of our five division websites, mouse over Contact and select Contact our Staff from the dropdown menu.