CMS Authorizes NPs to Order Portable X-Ray Services

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) today proposed to revise current Medicare regulations to clearly authorize nurse practitioners to order portable x-ray services, responding to concernes raised by ACNP and other NP organizations. 

In the annual update of policies related to the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, CMS stated, "We propose to revise our current regulations, which limit ordering of portable x-ray services to only a MD or DO, to allow other physicians and nonphysician practitioners acting within the scope of their Medicare benefit and State law to order portable x-ray services." The agency continued, "This proposed change would allow a MD or DO, as well as a nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, physician assistant, certified nurse-midwife, doctor of optometry, doctor of dental surgery and doctor of dental medicine, doctor of podiatric medicine, clinical psychologist, and clinical social worker to order portable x-ray services within their State scope of practice and the scope of their Medicare benefit." 

The proposed rule will be published in the July 30 Federal Register with a 60-day period for public comments that closes September 4. A final rule is likely to be released by November 1, with the new regulations going into effect January 1, 2013.