ACR Provides Comments on Technology Newness Criteria to Medicare

The American College of Radiology ® (ACR®) submitted comments June 6, in response to the fiscal year (FY) 2025 Hospital Inpatient Prospective Payment System (IPPS) proposed rule. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) requested stakeholder feedback on determining newness for technologies that use artificial intelligence (AI) software for New Technology Add-on Payments (NTAP).

ACR urged CMS to consider establishing a distinct, high-value AI-specific alternative NTAP pathway that would determine uniqueness based on whether the technology enables a clinically valuable task for Medicare beneficiaries not previously achievable without technology. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration currently is not required to consider a product’s value to the Medicare population as part of the Breakthrough Device designation. The College believes that value should not only be considered, but guided by input from physician experts and specialty communities for ongoing evaluations.

If you have questions, please contact Kimberly Greck, ACR Senior Economic Policy Analyst.