§ 27-19-46 - Magnetic resonance imaging – Quality assurance standards. - Rhode Island Statutes

SECTION 27-19-46

   § 27-19-46  Magnetic resonance imaging– Quality assurance standards. – (a) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (b) of this section, a magneticresonance imaging examination eligible for reimbursement under the provisionsof any individual or group health insurance contract, plan or policy deliveredin this state shall be reimbursed only if the facility at which the examinationhas been conducted and processed is accredited by either the American Collegeof Radiology (ACR), the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission (IAC) or analternate nationally recognized accrediting organization whose accreditationstandards are substantially similar to and no less stringent than current orsubsequent ACR or IAC standards and have been reviewed and deemed adequate bythe department of health. All accreditation standards under this section,whether promulgated by the ACR, IAC, or an alternate nationally recognizedaccrediting organization, shall include, but shall not be limited to,provisions for establishing the qualifications of the physician, standards forquality control and routine performance monitoring by a medical physicist,qualifications of the technologist including minimum standards of supervisedclinical experience, personnel and patient safety guidelines, and standards forinitial and ongoing quality control using clinical image review andquantitative testing.

   (b) Any facility conducting and processing magnetic resonanceimaging examinations which, as of June 30, 2006 is receiving reimbursement forsuch services by a health insurer, health maintenance organization or healthplan, but is not accredited pursuant to subsection (a), shall file itsapplication for accreditation within eighteen (18) months of June 28, 2007.Such accreditation shall be obtained not later than twelve (12) months aftersubmission of its application. A facility which begins conducting andprocessing, of magnetic resonance imaging examinations after June 30, 2006shall file its application for accreditation within twelve (12) months of thedate of initiation of the magnetic resonance imaging examinations. Suchaccreditation shall be obtained not later than twelve (12) months aftersubmission of its application. After such accreditation is obtained, a facilityconducting and processing, of magnetic resonance imaging examinations shall, atall times, maintain accreditation with the appropriate accrediting body.Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, any facility which has filedfor accreditation pursuant to this subsection (b) and which has not beenrefused accreditation or withdrawn its application, will be deemedprovisionally accredited for the twelve (12) month period dating from theapplication filing date. Provided, further, that notwithstanding any provisionsof the general or public laws to the contrary, any facility conducting andprocessing magnetic resonance imaging examinations shall conform to thestandards of the appropriate accrediting body at all times, including duringthe accreditation process and shall certify said conformance to any reimbursinghealth insurer, health maintenance organization or health plan.