Potomac Valley Orthopaedic Associates, the challenger named in the case, hasn’t released a statement on the ruling or whether the group will pursue an appeal to the decision.
Lawmakers have rejected four attempts since 2007 to challenge the court’s interpretation of the Maryland General Assembly’s intention to exclude MRIs and CT scans from the “in-office ancillary services exception” in the original 1993 law.
The American College of Radiology supports the court’s decision, citing studies that have shown little patient benefit to self-referral. Under healthcare reform, physicians are still allowed to refer patients for in-office radiology, but they must disclose their financial interest and inform patients of other facilities where the exams could be completed.
Read the American College of Radiology release on the Maryland court’s decision.
