CMS Withdraws IDTF Enrollment Rule

On October 31, 2008, the Centers for Medicare/Medicaid Services (CMS) published the 2009 Physician Fee Schedule Final Rule, setting payment rates for physician services for 2009. The rule also included numerous other regulatory changes affecting physician practices.

One of the most cumbersome requirements in the proposed rule was the requirement that all physician practices that provide diagnostic imaging services enroll with Medicare as an independent diagnostic testing facility (IDTF) in order to be paid by Medicare for diagnostic services. Although it is unclear how many physician practices in the United States provide diagnostic imaging, the rule, if finalized, would have required each of those physicians or medical groups to re-enroll with Medicare and obtain an additional Medicare number as an IDTF, in addition to their group practice number.

After reviewing numerous comments, CMS has withdrawn the proposal for future consideration. CMS noted that under the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008 (MIPPA), CMS must establish an accreditation process for those entities furnishing "advanced diagnostic testing procedures" by January 1, 2012. CMS then noted that it preferred to continue studying the issue in accordance with the MIPPA deadline and decline further action at this time.

Physician groups providing advanced diagnostic imaging in their offices might still expect to see future regulations from CMS, but such dramatic changes have been postponed for the time being.