It also said that although newer exams do generate many times more slides than ones in the past, technology hasn't slowed work down, as software now helps doctors find lesions or move through images quicker.

In its review, CMS said it found evidence to justify a reduction between 27.3 and 43 percent, and thus its 25 percent cut is "reasonable and supported by our analysis."


"An MPPR (multiple procedure payment reduction) policy is not precise, but reflects efficiencies in the aggregate, such as common patient history, interpretation of multiple images involving the same patient and same anatomical structures, and, typically, same modality," the agency writes in the rules.

Impact on beneficiaries, providers

But ACR notes that the patients who generally undergo multiple scans at the same time are among the sickest patients, such as those with cancer. And the group warns that the cuts could fall heavily on rural providers, forcing them to close their doors and making Medicare beneficiaries drive farther for care, oftentimes going to hospitals, where the same scans can be more expensive.

"These cuts don't make any sense in regard to quality and safety, and they don't make fiscal sense either," Farley said.

As it stands, the cuts are slated to go into effect next year, unless they're blocked by legislative action. Last week, a bill was introduced into the House of Representatives to do just that. It has a little over 30 co-sponsors.

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