A bill recently introduced into the House of Representatives would require physicians to consult electronic clinical decision support resources before ordering diagnostic imaging tests for Medicare patients.
Introduced by Rep. Eric Paulsen (R-Minn.) and Jim Matheson (D-Utah), the Excellence in Diagnostic Imaging Utilization Act would both direct HHS to establish appropriateness requirements for advanced imaging based on medical societies' evidence-based recommendations and mandate physicians consult these guidelines through clinical decision support technology before ordering imaging tests.
"There is nothing more frustrating than when a patient is told they need a particular test by their trusted physician only to be told by their insurance provider that they can't get it. By following Minnesota’s lead and utilizing tools like clinical decision support we can share best practices, improve clinical outcomes, reduce costs from unnecessary testing and improve patient safety. This important bill takes cutting edge steps to help ensure patients get the right test at the right time," said Rep. Paulsen in a statement.
The bill has already received support from the American College of Radiology. "The College applauds Reps. Paulsen and Matheson for reaching across the aisle to promote this policy, which helps ensure that Americans get the care that they need, preserves resources and does so without interfering in the doctor-patient relationship," ACR Board of Chancellors Chair Paul H. Ellenbogen, MD, said in a statement.
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