Letter to the editor: Radiologist assistants key to effective care

Having worked in health care for nearly 30 years, I am passionate about ensuring timely access to quality care for patients. Unfortunately, even before the covid-19 pandemic, there was a shortage of radiologists in Pennsylvania and across the U.S. Thus, our seniors, especially those in rural areas, already were facing serious access issues. Now radiology practices are fighting to stay above water as they work to save critically ill covid-19 patients in need of chest drainages and other radiology services.

However, there is an easy solution to alleviate this, as covid-19 has highlighted the underutilization of radiologist assistants (RAs). RAs are advanced-level radiographers with extensive education in providing therapeutic and diagnostic imaging services, needle placements, biopsies, injections, etc. Though RAs are recognized to perform these services under Medicare, the problem is radiology practices are unable to submit claims to Medicare for many of these services. Outdated laws also require a radiologist to supervise RA-administered procedures, by being physically present in the room, even though RAs are completely qualified.

I want to commend Rep. Mike Doyle, D-Forest Hills, for reintroducing the Medicare Access to Radiology Care Act (MARCA). This bipartisan legislation recognizes RAs under Medicare reimbursement and drastically help reduce wait times and improve access for seniors.

It’s critical that we utilize RAs to the full extent of their training to help alleviate access issues and provide high-quality and cost-effective care to patients.

Lori Heller

Robinson