CMS 2008 rulemaking focuses on curbing self-referred imaging.

摘要

Through a series of rules published in the fall of 2007, the Centers for Medicare & MedicaidServices (CMS) clearly establishedas one of its top agenda items for 2008 curbing the upward increase in physician self-referral of diagnostic imaging services. This article summarizes the changes set forth in the 2008 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) Final Rule and the Stark II, Phase III Final Rule (Stark III) that are designed to limit a physician's ability to profit from his or her own referrals of diagnostic testing services. Although just as this article was going to press, CMS announced that certain provisions of the antimarkup rule will be delayed until January 1, 2009, these changes will nevertheless impact existing relationships between some radiologists and referring physicians .