Physicians/NPP’s Must be Accredited to Bill Image TC Accreditation is Mandatory On/After January 1, 2012

Physicians/NPP’s Must be Accredited to Bill Image TC

Accreditation is Mandatory On/After January 1, 2012

 

CMS reminds physicians, non-physician practitioners (NPP’s) and other Medicare Part B suppliers who bill the technical component (TC) of certain advanced diagnostic imaging procedures must be accredited beginning January 1, 2012 in order to bill Medicare for the technical component of services performed on/after that date.  It is required by the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act (MIPPA).

 

Accreditation is not necessary if the physician or NPP only performs X-ray, ultrasound or fluoroscopy, as these are not advanced diagnostic imaging procedures under the law.

 

Advanced diagnostic services include MRI, CT and nuclear medicine imaging, including positron emission tomography (PET). It is important to note that the accreditation requirement applies only to suppliers of the images themselves (TC) and not the physician’s interpretation (professional component) of the image.

 

Affected physicians, NPP’s and other suppliers should apply for accreditation now if they are not already accredited.  Visit the Advanced Diagnostic Imaging Accreditation Enrollment Procedures site at www.cms.gov/medicareprovidersupenroll at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) website and review each of the three accreditation organizations:

• American College of Radiology

• Intersocietal Accreditation Commission

• The Joint Commission

Call or email each of these three accreditation organizations to determine which one best fits your needs.  Follow all of the application requirements so that your application is not delayed.  The accreditation process may take up to 5 months.  The sooner you start, the better.