Independent Diagnostic Testing Facility Developments
The 2009 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Regulations include two provisions regarding Independent Diagnostic Testing Facilities. 42 CFR §410.33 has been supplemented with two additional subsections.
First, Section (16) states all entities that provide diagnostic imaging services to Medicare beneficiaries will be required to enroll as IDTFs regardless of whether the services furnished are mobile or from a fixed base location.
Second, Section (17) requires registered Independent Diagnostic Testing Facilities to bill directly for all mobile diagnostic services furnished to Medicare beneficiaries, unless the mobile diagnostic service is part of a hospital service provided under arrangements with that hospital. This clarifies that IDTFs may not provide services under arrangements to non-hospital entities, such as physician practices.
