The American Hospital Association on Aug. 28 urged the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to clarify that its proposal to require mobile diagnostic testing entities to bill directly for services would not apply when such services are provided to hospital patients through a leasing arrangement. If extended to these services, the proposed requirement would “disrupt these long-standing arrangements and, more importantly, conflict with the prohibition against unbundling of hospital services,” AHA said in a comment letter. AHA also recommended that mobile diagnostic testing facilities that provide services to hospitals be excluded from the proposed performance standards for independent diagnostic testing facilities.
“We recognize and support CMS’ initiatives to improve the quality of all health care services, including diagnostic testing services, in the hospital setting,” AHA said. “However, there are numerous existing requirements to ensure that mobile diagnostic testing services are integrated sufficiently within the hospital and subject to hospital oversight and other Medicare requirements.”
[ via AHA News Now ]
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