This bill proposes a law that amends the Medicare reimbursement policy for radiologist assistants to align it
with state radiologist assistant licensure laws.
The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists, American Society of Radiologic Technologists and the Society
for Radiology Physician Extenders are working together to support enactment of MARCA.
Currently, Medicare pays for services performed by an RA following each state’s scope of practice, supervision
rules and licensure requirements. MARCA will ensure that Medicare fully reimburses the facility for the
procedure or service regardless of the setting in which the service is performed — hospital, critical access
hospital, ambulatory surgical center or any other facility setting. 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, thus increasing patients’ access to care. MARCA will ensure
that Medicare will reimburse for the complete procedure regardless of the facility in which a radiology service
is performed by a RA, that Medicare reimbursement will pay for the complete procedure.
The RA is a midlevel provider for the medical imaging and radiation therapy profession and performs procedures
under the direct supervision of a radiologist.
As part of earning a registered radiologist assistant credential, one must meet the following educational
requirements:
- Earn a master's or doctoral degree.
- Be certified and registered with ARRT in radiography.
- Have at least two years of acceptable, full-time clinical experience in radiography.
- Complete an ARRT-approved radiologist assistant education program.