June Board Meeting Minutes
OSRT Annual Board Meeting Minutes
OSRT May Board Meeting Minutes
MARCA Legislation News
MARCA will ensure that regardless of the setting in which the radiology service is performed; hospital, critical access hospital, ambulatory surgical center or any other facility setting, that services provided by a radiologist assistant supervised by a radiologist as part of a radiologist-led patient care team receive complete Medicare reimbursement.
The enactment of MARCA means greater timeliness, accuracy and quality of care for Medicare beneficiaries. RAs allow radiologists to devote more focused, uninterrupted time reviewing and interpreting complex medical images and providing timely diagnoses that will result in efficient, appropriate medical treatment. Patients need, and deserve, this level of care, and Medicare beneficiaries are certainly entitled to this level of care as well.
Ask federal lawmakers asking to support and cosponsor Medicare recognition of the radiologist assistant.
OSRT Spring 2021 – SKIAGRAM
OBMI February 2021 Newsletter
Update re: House Resolution 8702
As part of the omnibus bill passed on Dec. 28, 2020, Congress substantially reduced planned Medicare payments cuts to radiology services from a proposed 10 percent reduction to 3.75 percent. The reductions will be enacted in the summer of 2021.
The move came as a result of the efforts of the American Society of Radiologic Technologists, American Medical Association, American College of Radiology and other medical imaging groups that pushed for the passage of House Resolution 8702, a measure that addressed substantial Medicare reimbursement cuts planned for 2021. The original cuts would have resulted in significant decreases in payment levels for radiology, interventional radiology, nuclear medicine, radiation oncology and radiation therapy procedures.
As part of the omnibus bill, Congress will look at adjusting the Medicare reimbursement reductions for radiology services more in the future.
OBMI License Fee Increase
Starting 01/01/2021 the fee for a license to practice medical imaging will increase from $5 a month to $9 a month.
This licensing fee increase will be the first one in 10 years and it is necessary to stabilize the OBMI’s revenue stream after years of depleted annual financial reserves.
Become a member of OSRT to receive updates about OBMI happenings, or request important updates direclty from OBMI via their website.
What does the OBMI do?
- The primary purpose for the Board is to uphold its mission to promote, preserve and protect the public health, safety and welfare of Oregonians who are undergoing medical imaging studies and radiation therapy performed by agency licensees and permittees.
- The Board is dedicated to providing excellent service and support to the public, stakeholders, license and permit holders.
- The Board provides licensees and permittees with information and support. It is solely responsible for ensuring appropriate issuance of initial and renewal licenses and permits.
- The Board is instrumental to ensuring strict adherence to the Oregon Administrative Rules and Oregon Revised Statutes governing our members.
- The Staff along with the technical expertise from the Board members, provide the licensees and permittees with knowledge of the medical imaging profession and support for staying in compliance with industry standards and regulations.
- The Board maintains Category A Continuing Education offerings making Oregon one of eight states that offer approved CE required for medical imaging credentials. This enables the licensees to obtain required CE for National Credentials here in Oregon.
- The Board approves schools that allow the opportunity for the required education for obtaining a Limited X-Ray Machine Operator and Bone Densitometry Permit. The CE requirements for Permit holders is also approved by the Board.
- The Board approves and submits applications made by licensees and permitted for required National exams in order to practice in the field of medical imaging.
| 2019-2021 | 2021-2023 | 2023-2025 | 2025-2027 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beginning Balance | $304,233 | $228,415 | $301,034 | $270,578 |
| Revenue Fee Income | $1,240,126 | $1,501,741 | $1,501,741 | $1,501,741 |
| Expenditures (Personal Services and Supplies) | $1,315,944 | $1,429,122 | $1,532,197 | $1,642,276 |
| Ending Balance | $228,415 | $301,034 | $270,578 | $130,043 |
National Advocacy Award
OSRT President Jennifer Clayton, R.T. (R)(CT), was honored by the ASRT in June having the 2020 Award for Advocacy bestowed upon her. Jen has vigorously monitored legislative issues in the state since joining the OSRT and it has had a definite impact. Way to go, Jen!