Indiana Society of Radiologic Technologists

WHO:

Who does this bill affect in Indiana?  Indiana has licensure for the Radiology Technologists,but if it is a state (and there are 8 states at the present time) that has little are NO licensure, it will raise the requirement for personnel who perform medical imaging and radiation therapy procedures. They will need to obtain a certificate by the ARRT or other approved credentialing body.

physician groups and patient advocacy groups have spoken out about the need for qualified personnel. There have been briefings on Capitol Hill about radiation therapy safety and many legislators are speaking out about the need for standards.

Who should I contact to make a difference? It is very important to let your legislators know what matters to you - contact your representative and senators and let them know that passage of the CARE bill is the first step in ensuring a patient receives safe medical imaging and radiation therapy treatment.  

WHY:

Why does Indiana need the CARE bill?

Even though Indiana has licensure, the CARE Bill will help Indiana in the following ways:

• Save Money — reducing repeat exams by having certified technologists perform exams would save Medicare millions of dollars a year.
• Improve Safety — having certified personnel will reduce the chances of improperly performed procedures. When administered properly, radiation is an invaluable tool in the diagnosis and treatment of disease; but most radiologic procedures also carry a potential health risk and can be harmful if misadministered.

Why do you need my help? Many voices speaking out about patient safety and the vital role radiologic professionals play in ensuring patient safety is essential — we are often the first step in caring for patients, and play an invaluable part in the correct diagnosis of a patient. It is up to us, as registered professionals, to advocate for our patients, elevate the importance of our profession and set the example for others to follow.

While it’s important for organizations within the industry to stand behind the CARE bill, constituent involvement is what your legislators really want. They want to know what is important to their voters.

What are the benefits? Patient safety is in the forefront for the reason behind the push for the CARE bill to be enacted. It is up to us, as caregivers, to do what we can to ensure patients are safe. And utilizing registered technologists who have been proven to meet education and certification standards is the first step.

What will happen to the people that don’t meet the requirement of the CARE bill? In order for a facility to be reimbursed by the Medicare system they must show proof that they have hired registered personnel; therefore, personnel who perform medical imaging and plan radiation therapy procedures will need to pass a certification exam. There is a phase in period (grandfathering) included in the CARE bill for non-certified personnel.

What changes will I have to make? You, as a registered technologist, won’t have to make any or very few changes…because you have already been taking the steps needed to prove you are a qualified professional. However, you should see an overall elevation of the status of our profession and more individuals will have to step up to the plate and prove, through certification, that they have the same commitment to quality care.