The AHA, along with the American Medical Association, today urged the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to delay by at least one year the Jan. 1, 2021, implementation of the appropriate use criteria for advanced diagnostic imaging services.

The policy is mandated under the Protecting Access to Medicare Act of 2014. In a letter to CMS Administrator Seema Verma, AHA and AMA wrote the COVID-19 public health emergency reduced imaging services, added financial strains and prohibited providers from sufficiently engaging in preparatory steps.

“Due to the demands of meeting patient care needs caused by the pandemic, providers would be strained to devote these necessary resources to ensure a successful implementation of the AUC program,” the letter said. Read the full letter here.

Related News Articles

Headline
The House Appropriations Committee today released bill text for a continuing resolution to fund the government through Nov. 21. The bill also extends key…
Headline
The AHA Sept. 15 expressed support for the Ensuring Access to Essential Providers Act, legislation that would require Medicare Advantage plans to cover…
Headline
Newsweek’s Access Health newsletter today features a conversation with AHA Chair Tina Freese Decker, president and CEO of Corewell Health in Michigan, where…
Headline
The House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health Sept. 10 advanced the Title VIII Nursing Workforce Reauthorization Act (H.R. 3593), AHA-supported…
Headline
The House Appropriations Committee Sept. 9 advanced the fiscal year 2026 appropriations bill for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, Education…
Perspective
Public
Congress returns to Washington, D.C., this week facing a long list of things to do, including several that will impact hospitals’ ability to provide access to…