§ 27-18-53. Magnetic resonance imaging — Quality assurance standards.
(a) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (b) of this section, a magnetic resonance
imaging examination eligible for reimbursement under the provisions of any individual
or group health insurance contract, plan, or policy delivered in this state shall
be reimbursed only if the facility at which the examination has been conducted and
processed is accredited by either the American College of Radiology (ACR), the Intersocietal
Accreditation Commission (IAC), or an alternate nationally recognized accrediting
organization whose accreditation standards are substantially simi
Free access — add to your briefcase to read the full text and ask questions with AI
§ 27-18-53. Magnetic resonance imaging — Quality assurance standards.
(a) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (b) of this section, a magnetic resonance
imaging examination eligible for reimbursement under the provisions of any individual
or group health insurance contract, plan, or policy delivered in this state shall
be reimbursed only if the facility at which the examination has been conducted and
processed is accredited by either the American College of Radiology (ACR), the Intersocietal
Accreditation Commission (IAC), or an alternate nationally recognized accrediting
organization whose accreditation standards are substantially similar and no less stringent
than current or subsequent ACR or IAC standards and have been reviewed and deemed
adequate by the department of health. All accreditation standards under this section,
whether promulgated by the ACR, IAC, or an alternate nationally recognized accrediting
organization, shall include, but shall not be limited to, provisions for establishing
the qualifications of the physician, standards for quality control and routine performance
monitoring by a medical physicist, qualifications of the technologist including minimum
standards of supervised clinical experience, personnel and patient safety guidelines,
and standards for initial and ongoing quality control using clinical image review
and quantitative testing.
(b) Any facility conducting and processing magnetic resonance imaging examinations that,
as of June 30, 2006, is receiving reimbursement for such services by a health insurer,
health maintenance organization, or health plan, but is not accredited pursuant to
subsection (a), shall file its application for accreditation within eighteen (18)
months of the effective date of this section. Such accreditation shall be obtained
not later than twelve (12) months after submission of its application. A facility
that begins conducting and processing magnetic resonance imaging examinations after
June 30, 2006, shall file its application for accreditation within twelve (12) months
of the date of initiation of the magnetic resonance imaging examinations. Such accreditation
shall be obtained not later than twelve (12) months after submission of its application.
After such accreditation is obtained, a facility conducting and processing magnetic
resonance imaging examinations shall, at all times, maintain accreditation with the
appropriate accrediting body. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, any
facility that has filed for accreditation pursuant to this subsection (b) and has
not been refused accreditation or withdrawn its application, will be deemed provisionally
accredited for the twelve-month (12) period dating from the application filing date.
Provided, further, that notwithstanding any provision of the general or public laws
to the contrary, any facility conducting and processing magnetic resonance imaging
examinations shall conform to the standards of the appropriate accrediting body at
all times, including during said accreditation process and shall certify said conformance
to any reimbursing health insurer, health maintenance organization, or health plan.