Appropriate Use of Time? Medicare Rules for Advanced Imaging Orders Pose Prior-Auth Burdens

An effective way to cut down on overuse of potentially harmful imaging, or a prior authorization-esque burden on physicians who order needed tests? Texas physicians see Medicare's "appropriate use" system for advanced imaging both ways. As of Jan. 1, physicians ordering advanced imaging tests for Medicare patients must consult an electronic portal, which evaluates whether the test meets Medicare's own "appropriate use criteria" for whether a test should be ordered. Then when the claim is filed, physicians must document that they checked the system and its determination.