MARCA Bill Would Improve Access to Radiology Care

Rep. Michael Doyle of Pennsylvania has introduced legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives June 1, 2021. known as the Medicare Access to Radiology Care Act or MARCA. H.R. 3657 would amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide for payment for services of radiologist assistants under the Medicare program.

The bill proposes a law that amends Medicare reimbursement policy for radiologist assistants to align it with state radiologist assistant licensure laws. Learn more about the measure and how to contact your congressman in support of the bill here.

The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists, American Society of Radiologic Technologists, American College of Radiologists and the Society for Radiology Physician Extenders are working together to support enactment of the measure.

Currently, Medicare pays for services performed by an RA following the state's scope of practice, supervision rules and licensure requirements. MARCA will ensure that regardless of the setting in which the service is performed, hospital, critical access hospital, ambulatory surgical center or any other facility setting, that complete Medicare reimbursement is paid. The adoption of this language would allow RAs to practice to their full ability and enable radiologists to devote more focused time to reviewing and interpreting complex medical images or urgent cases.

The radiologist assistant is a certified radiographer who has completed advanced education, clinical experience and certification to be able to expertly and safely perform radiologic assessments and certain procedures that traditionally were performed only by radiologists.