Evolution of Medicare/Medicaid imaging reimbursements from 2003 to 2025

Large decreases in CMS reimbursement for many imaging modalities has occurred over the past two decades, disproportionately affecting MRI with reimbursement now comparable to alternative modalities. Reimbursement for "focused" MRI exams that are shorter, yet fully diagnostic and sufficient to answer specific clinical questions should not be reduced, considering the dramatic decrease in reimbursement that has already occurred in the past two decades.