Medicare Access to Radiology Care Act of 2026
Latest action (30 Jul 2026): Introduced
What this bill does
H.R. 9984, the Medicare Access to Radiology Care Act of 2026, would amend Medicare law to explicitly cover and pay for services performed by "radiologist assistants"—advanced radiographers certified by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists who work under a radiologist's supervision. The bill defines radiologist assistant services as tasks that would be billed as physicians' services if a doctor performed them, so long as the assistant is legally authorized to perform them under state law and no other provider bills separately for the same service. Payment for these services in hospitals, critical access hospitals, ambulatory surgical centers, and other facilities the Secretary of Health and Human Services designates would be made to the supervising radiologist, calculated using existing Medicare physician fee schedule rules that apply to certain non-physician practitioners.
The bill primarily affects Medicare beneficiaries, radiologists, radiologist assistants, and hospitals or surgical centers where imaging services are furnished. It does not authorize radiologist assistants to interpret imaging studies or practice independently; they would continue working under a radiologist's supervision. The changes would not alter existing payment rules for the technical component of imaging services or for services personally performed by radiologists.
The bill was introduced on July 30, 2026, by Rep. John Joyce and referred to the House Committees on Energy and Commerce and Ways and Means. If enacted, the changes would take effect for services furnished on or after January 1, 2027. As an introduced bill, it must still be considered by committee and passed by both chambers before becoming law.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
This bill is in the first stage of the legislative process. It was introduced into Congress on July 30, 2026. It will typically be considered by committee next before it is possibly sent on to the House or Senate as a whole.
Common questions
- What does H.R. 9984 do?
- H.R. 9984, the Medicare Access to Radiology Care Act of 2026, would amend Medicare law to explicitly cover and pay for services performed by "radiologist assistants"—advanced radiographers certified by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists who work under a radiologist's supervision. The bill defines radiologist assistant services as tasks that would be billed as physicians' services if a doctor performed them, so long as the assistant is legally authorized to perform them under state law and no other provider bills separately for the same service. Payment for these services in hospitals, critical access hospitals, ambulatory surgical centers, and other facilities the Secretary of Health and Human Services designates would be made to the supervising radiologist, calculated using existing Medicare physician fee schedule rules that apply to certain non-physician practitioners. The bill primarily affects Medicare beneficiaries, radiologists, radiologist assistants, and hospitals or surgical centers where imaging services are furnished. It does not authorize radiologist assistants to interpret imaging studies or practice independently; they would continue working under a radiologist's supervision. The changes would not alter existing payment rules for the technical component of imaging services or for services personally performed by radiologists. The bill was introduced on July 30, 2026, by Rep. John Joyce and referred to the House Committees on Energy and Commerce and Ways and Means. If enacted, the changes would take effect for services furnished on or after January 1, 2027. As an introduced bill, it must still be considered by committee and passed by both chambers before becoming law.
- Has H.R. 9984 become law?
- Not yet. As of 30 Jul 2026, H.R. 9984 is introduced.
- Who sponsored H.R. 9984?
- H.R. 9984 was sponsored by Rep. John Joyce [R-PA13] (Republican-PA), with 1 cosponsor.
- What's the latest action on H.R. 9984?
- Introduced (30 Jul 2026).
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