SCCT leaders unpack the 2025 Medicare payment increase for coronary CTA
The Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography (SCCT) is cheering as a “huge win” the 2025 CMS payment increase for coronary CTA that more than doubles the current payment and “better aligns with the cost of providing CCTA services,” according to a statement earlier this month. The panel expects the move with bring an increase in CT utilization, more adoption with financial sustainability and greater access in currently underutilized areas. They’re also encouraging practices and departments to share billing details with SCCT that is working with CMS to make the increases permanent.
Here’s a snapshot: The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) in early November finalized a new Medicare payment policy for hospitals performing coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) exams. Under its new 2025 Medicare Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System, CMS moved CCTA into a higher ambulatory payment classification (APC). CCTA revenue codes 75572, 75573 and 75574 all now fall under APC 5572. The CCTA payment rate went from $175 to $357.13.
The Medicare payment rate for FFRCT Analysis increased from $997 to $1,017, while the Medicare rate for AI-enabled coronary plaque assessments such as Plaque Analysis will be set at $950.
We asked a panel of SCCT leaders to share their thoughts and insight on the changes and what they mean to patients, hospitals and imaging facilities going forward. They expect CCTA utilization to increase significantly in the U.S., which will:
- Improve access for patients
- Make an impact on and catch coronary artery disease earlier
- Save hospitals and healthcare systems money with appropriate and early patient management and treatment
Listen into the expert panel:
Moderated by:
- Ron Blankstein, MD, Director, Cardiac CT, Associate Director, CV Imaging Program and Preventive Cardiologist, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and SCCT President 2019 – 2020 and Ex Officio Director 2021 – 2026;
And including:
- Michael Coords, MD, Medical Director, Cardiac Imaging, RadNet and Regulatory Task Force Lead SCCT Health Policy and Practice Committee;
- Maros Ferencik, MD, PhD, Section Head, Cardiovascular Imaging, Oregon Health & Sciences University and SCCT President; and
- Cristina Fuss, MD, Division Chief, Cardiothoracic Imaging, Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, Yale New Haven Hospital and SCCT Secretary
Mary joined TriMed Media in 2003. She was the founding editor and editorial director of Health Imaging, Cardiovascular Business, Molecular Imaging Insight and CMIO, now known as Clinical Innovation + Technology. Prior to TriMed, Mary was the editorial director of HealthTech Publishing Company, where she had worked since 1991. While there, she oversaw four magazines and related online media, and piloted the launch of two magazines and websites. Mary holds a master’s in journalism from Syracuse University. She lives in East Greenwich, R.I., and when not working, she is usually running around after her family, taking photos or cooking.