Advanced Diagnostic Imaging Accreditation

Advanced Diagnostic Imaging Accreditation

Background

Section 135(a) of the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008 (MIPPA) amended section 1834(e) of the Social Security Act and required the Secretary to designate organizations to accredit suppliers, including but not limited to physicians, non-physician practitioners and Independent Diagnostic Testing Facilities, that furnish the technical component (TC) of advanced diagnostic imaging services.

MIPPA specifically defines advanced diagnostic imaging procedures as including diagnostic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT), and nuclear medicine imaging such as positron emission tomography (PET). The law also authorizes the Secretary to specify other diagnostic imaging services in consultation with physician specialty organizations and other stakeholders.

MIPPA expressly excludes from the accreditation requirement x-ray, ultrasound, and fluoroscopy procedures. The law also excludes from the CMS accreditation requirement diagnostic and screening mammography which are subject to quality oversight by the Food and Drug Administration under the Mammography Quality Standards Act.

In order to furnish the TC of advanced diagnostic imaging services for Medicare beneficiaries, suppliers must be accredited by January 1, 2012.

Educational Activities and Resources

National Provider Call on Accreditation Requirements for Advanced Diagnostic Imaging Technical Suppliers - Thursday, June 23, 2:30-4pm ET

CMS hosted a National Provider Call on the upcoming mandatory accreditation program for all suppliers that furnish the technical component of advanced diagnostic imaging. Subject matter experts discussed the requirements to meet the Sun Jan 1, 2012, deadline; who these requirements effect; and how to become accredited.

In the "Downloads" section below, you'll find [a] a copy of the slide show presentation used during the call, [b] the written transcript of this call, and [c] a full recording of the entirety of the call, and [d] three podcasts of the call audio.

Medicare Learning Network Special Edition Article #SE1122 – "Important Reminders about Advanced Diagnostic Imaging (ADI) Accreditation Requirements"

MLN Matters Special Edition Article #SE1122 provides guidance on meeting the accreditation requirements established in Section 135(a) of the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008 (MIPPA) for physicians, non-physician practitioners, and Independent Diagnostic Testing Facilities (IDTF) who are suppliers of imaging services and are submitting claims for the Technical Component (TC) of Advanced Diagnostic Imaging (ADI) procedures. The article is informational in nature and supports existing policy. The article can be found in the "Related Links Inside CMS" section below.

Educational Messages sent via the CMS Medicare FFS Provider e-News and Appropriate Listservs

A compilation of the messages sent further explaining Advanced Diagnostic Imaging Accreditation can be found in the "Downloads" section at the bottom of this page.

Frequently-Asked-Questions

FAQs on Advanced Diagnostic Imaging Accreditation are available by following the link in the "Related Links Inside CMS" section at the bottom of this page.

Accreditation Organizations

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) approved three national accreditation organizations -- the American College of Radiology, the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission, and The Joint Commission - to provide accreditation services for suppliers of the TC of advanced diagnostic imaging procedures. The accreditation will apply only to the suppliers of the images themselves, and not to the physician's interpretation of the image. All accreditation organizations have quality standards that address the safety of the equipment as well as the safety of the patients and staff. To obtain additional information about the accreditation process, please contact the accreditation organizations shown below.

American College of Radiology (ACR)
1891 Preston White Drive
Reston, VA 20191-4326
800-770-0145

Intersocietal Accreditation Commission (IAC)
6021 University Boulevard, Suite 500
Ellicott City, MD 21043
800-838-2110

The Joint Commission (TJC)
Ambulatory Care Accreditation Program
One Renaissance Boulevard
Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181
630-792-5286