ACC addresses in-office ancillary services exception

The American College of Cardiology (ACC) recently responded to the Obama Administration's FY 2014 proposed budget recommendation to eliminate the in-office ancillary services exception (IOASE) to the “Stark” law.

The ACC joined 22 other medical organizations in a letter sent to the healthcare committees urging Congress to reject the administration's proposal to restrict the IOASE for advanced imaging, radiation therapy and physical therapy. The coalition stressed that the medical profession has already taken significant steps to ensure only medically necessary and appropriate ancillary services are performed. These steps include the development and implementation of training guidance, appropriate use criteria, practice guidelines and decision support tools which assist physicians in delivering the most appropriate care.