Medicare Access to Radiology Care Act of 2026
Sen. Boozman and Sen. Lujan Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Expand Medicare Coverage for Radiology Services
This bill was introduced in the Senate and is currently being reviewed by the Committee on Finance. It is still in the early stages of the lawmaking process and has no upcoming votes scheduled. The bill is considered active as it waits for the committee to decide if it should move forward.
Legislative Progress
The bill has support from both parties, which helps its chances. However, many bills like this struggle to get a final vote because of the costs involved in changing Medicare rules.
Key Points
Impact Analysis
Personal Impact
Medicare beneficiaries who need radiology services could benefit from shorter wait times and improved access to imaging care. By allowing radiologist assistants to bill Medicare directly, hospitals and imaging centers can use their workforce more efficiently, potentially expanding capacity in areas with radiologist shortages. This is most relevant for patients needing procedures in hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers.
“Removing barriers to care rendered by radiologist assistants under the supervision of a radiologist will provide value-based, efficient solutions to improve patient outcomes while ensuring patient safety.”
Milestones
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
Sent to a congressional committee for expert review. The committee decides whether this bill moves forward.
Introduced in Senate
The bill was officially filed and given a number. It now enters the legislative queue.
Votes
No votes have been recorded for this legislation yet.
Related News
4 articlesSenators reintroduce bill to expand reimbursement for radiologist assistants
Sens. John Boozman and Ben Ray Luján reintroduced MARCA on May 21, 2026. While the bill aims to address provider shortages by allowing Medicare reimbursement for radiologist assistants, some physicians have previously expressed concerns about scope of practice and workforce shifts.
Senators Introduce Bipartisan Medicare Access to Radiology Care Act
The bipartisan MARCA bill, introduced on May 21, 2026, seeks to ensure that radiologists receive Medicare payment for services provided by radiologist assistants in all settings, including hospitals and offices, to improve patient access and workflow efficiency.
Medicare Access to Radiology Care Act (MARCA) of 2026
Reintroduced on May 21, 2026, the Medicare Access to Radiology Care Act (MARCA) would permit physicians to submit Medicare claims for non-diagnostic services performed by registered radiologist assistants. The 2026 version includes updates to billing rules to ease implementation.
Source Information
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
Medicare Access to Radiology Care Act of 2026
Data Sources
Sponsor
Cosponsors
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