The Threat to Radiologists From the Multiple-Procedure Payment Reduction

Revenue Increase following 2017 Multiple Procedures Payment Reduction Modification: Differential Impact on Neuroradiology—Report from an Academic Medical Center

“…However, the result was a 25% PC reduction as of January 1, 2012. 1,14,18 In 2013, this was further expanded, so the 25% PC MPPR would apply to all radiologists in the same group practice interpreting multiple imaging studies from the same patient on the same day, irrespective of practice setting. 1,4,18 The impact of this was not inconsequential.…”

“…1,14,18 In 2013, this was further expanded, so the 25% PC MPPR would apply to all radiologists in the same group practice interpreting multiple imaging studies from the same patient on the same day, irrespective of practice setting. 1,4,18 The impact of this was not inconsequential. Chiao et al 5 found that the PC MPPR unevenly affected different divisions of radiology, with thoracic imaging losing the most percentage and neuroradiology losing the most absolute revenue relative to other divisions.…”

“…This reduction started out at 25% and applied to contiguous body parts, but in 2011, the TC MPPR was increased to 50% and became applicable to noncontiguous body parts. 1 Despite opposition by radiologist groups, including the American College of Radiology (ACR) and the American Society of Neuroradiology (ASNR), CMS imposed a 25% reduction in the professional component (PC) of multiple studies as part of the 2011 MPPR, which went into effect on January 1, 2012. 2,3 While initially this applied to multiple diagnostic imaging services administered by the same physician to the same patient during a single office visit, it was further expanded in 2013 to include all physicians practicing in the same group, irrespective of the practice setting.…”

Multiple Procedure Payment Reduction: Health Policy Update

“…As a result of the effort of organized radiology, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services elected to lower the professional component MPPR reduction to 25% in the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Final Rule. 5 Although the Final Rule included a cut of 25% rather than 50%, the policy was expanded in January 2013 so that it now applied to 2 different physicians interpreting multiple images from the same patient, during the same session, on the same day. 6,7 The progression is noteworthy.…”

Large-Scale Assessment of Scan-Time Variability and Multiple-Procedure Efficiency for Cross-Sectional Neuroradiological Exams in Clinical Practice

“…Due to increasing clinical demand [1][2][3] and decreasing reimbursement [4][5][6][7][8], radiology departments have developed considerable interest in optimization of workflow and resource utilization [9][10][11][12][13]. These efforts are bolstered by understanding the time required for various radiological exams.…”