The 2025 agenda highlights the need for legislative action to address Medicare cuts, support radiology staffing, and ensure patient access to timely imaging services.
Summary:
The Radiology Business Management Association (RBMA) has unveiled its 2025 Advocacy Agenda, outlining key policy priorities aimed at addressing the most pressing challenges in radiology, including Medicare reimbursement cuts, workforce shortages, and regulatory hurdles. The agenda emphasizes the need for fair payment policies, legislative action to expand the radiology workforce, and securing permanent virtual supervision for imaging procedures. RBMA leaders stress that without reform, financial pressures on radiology practices and staffing shortages could negatively impact patient access to diagnostic imaging. The association also highlights the importance of grassroots advocacy efforts and collaboration with the American College of Radiology to push for policies that support the radiology community.
Key Takeaways:
- Medicare Cuts Threaten Radiology Services – RBMA warns that continued reductions in Medicare reimbursement could strain radiology practices, jeopardizing patient access to timely diagnostic imaging.
- Workforce Shortages Require Legislative Action – The shortage of radiologists and imaging technologists remains a significant issue, prompting RBMA to advocate for expanded residency slots and policies to strengthen the radiology workforce.
- Policy Reforms Are Critical for Radiology’s Future – RBMA’s agenda prioritizes permanent virtual supervision, refining the No Surprises Act, and ensuring fair reimbursement policies to support high-quality patient care.
The Radiology Business Management Association (RBMA) launched its 2025 Advocacy Agenda, which serves as a framework to address the most pressing challenges in radiology, including fair reimbursement, workforce shortages, and the impact of evolving healthcare policies.
The agenda outlines key priorities to sustain and advance the radiology profession, with a focus on high-quality patient care. Highlights of the agenda include:
- Reforming Medicare Reimbursement: Decades of compounding cuts in the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule have created unsustainable pressure on radiology practices, jeopardizing patient care.
- Addressing Workforce Shortages: Legislative solutions to bolster radiology workforce capacity, including expanded residency slots and ongoing training.
- Educating Policymakers: Highlighting radiology’s critical role in preventative care and positive patient outcomes.
- Securing Permanent Virtual Supervision: Advocating for the permanent adoption of virtual direct supervision in radiology procedures.
- Refining the No Surprises Act: Addressing implementation issues to ensure fair reimbursement and reduced administrative burden.
“The radiology field is at a crossroads, and our 2025 Advocacy Agenda reflects the urgent need for action,” says Linda Wilgus, co-executive director of RBMA, in a release. “Without reform, the ripple effects of Medicare cuts and workforce shortages will compromise timely, accurate diagnoses that patients rely on. Congress must act now to protect access to critical imaging services.”
Pete Moffatt, president of RBMA, adds in a release, “As we look ahead to 2025, the challenges facing radiology are significant but not insurmountable. Our industry is at a pivotal moment, and it is vital that we work together to champion fair policies and practical solutions that result in high-quality care patients rely on every day.”
The agenda also emphasizes promoting health equity and addressing barriers to care. Recent polling data from the Radiology Patient Action Network revealed that 76% of Americans oppose Medicare cuts to imaging services, underscoring the public’s demand for investments in diagnostic imaging.
“Proposed Medicare cuts would devastate the healthcare system, delaying care and compromising patient outcomes,” says Kit Crancer, RBMA immediate past president, 2023-2024, in a release. “Congress must prioritize patient needs over budget constraints. The data is clear—Americans expect investments in healthcare services that save lives, not cuts that put them at risk.”
The 2025 Advocacy Agenda also highlights RBMA’s commitment to collaboration with industry leaders such as the American College of Radiology and grassroots efforts through the Radiology Patient Action Network, which has mobilized nearly 10,000 individuals to advocate for physician payment reform.
