2026: The Year of Virtual Supervision

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has officially finalized its Calendar Year 2026 Medicare PhysicianFee Schedule (MPFS), and with it comes a historic milestone for the imaging industry: Virtual Direct Supervision is here to stay.

After nearly six years of temporary extensions following the COVID-19public health emergency, CMS has permanently extended the definition of “direct supervision” to include virtual presence via real-time, two-way audio and video communication technology. This decision marks a defining moment for radiology, diagnostic imaging, and outpatient healthcare delivery.

In other words, 2026 is the Year of Virtual Supervision and ContrastConnect is leading the way.

What the CMS Final Rule Means

Under the new rule, physicians and qualified healthcare professionals can meet direct supervision requirements without being physically present on-site, as long as they are immediately available via secure real-time audio/visual connection.

This change applies to:

• Diagnostic tests (42 CFR § 410.32)
• Incident-to services (42 CFR § 410.26)
• Cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation programs (42 CFR § 410.47, § 410.49)

By making these provisions permanent, CMS has acknowledged what the industry already knows: virtual supervision is safe. It expands access, increases efficiency, and enhances safety without compromising compliance or patient care.

Why This Matters for Imaging Companies

For imaging centers and radiology groups, permanence of virtual supervision unlocks a new level of flexibility and growth:

• Scalability: Leverage economies of scale and technology to reduce the cost of supervision using safe and compliant workflows.
• Access: Facilities can open or extend hours in rural and underserved areas that once faced chronic staffing shortages.
• Efficiency: Eliminating unnecessary travel and idle time allows physicians to focus on dictating studies and patient care.
• Safety: With real-time supervision from some of the most experienced physicians in the country, patient care becomes faster, more consistent, and more reliable.
• Compliance Confidence: With CMS’ updated definition of direct supervision now codified, imaging organizations can confidently align policies and workflows for the long term.

ContrastConnect: Purpose-Built for Virtual Supervision

ContrastConnect was designed from the ground up to deliver safe and affordable contrast supervision that scales- using the first-of-its-kind supervision platform purpose-built for contrast supervision.

Our platform enables:

• Real-time live supervision via secure, HIPAA-compliant, SOC II certified, live audio and video connection.
• Audited response times measured in seconds.
• Dedicated physician coverage with redundant backup for guaranteed availability.
• Comprehensive reporting to support audit readiness and compliance documentation.

Every day, our physicians supervise more than 55,000 contrast exams across hundreds of facilities, without a single missed or delayed response.

Impact: Real Results from ContrastConnect Customers

Across imaging organizations nationwide, ContrastConnect’s virtual supervision platform delivers measurable results:

• 25% increase in scheduled exams. Customers unlock capacity by extending hours and maintaining consistent physician coverage.
• Up to 70% reduction in supervision costs. Streamlined scheduling and shared-coverage efficiencies drive bottom-line savings.
• Zero downtime from supervision gaps. Continuous virtual coverage prevents cancellations and lost referral opportunities.
• Thousands of contrast reactions safely managed. With physician response times averaging just six seconds, backed by nationwide data.
• Expanded reach to new markets. Imaging organizations open new facilities in rural and underserved areas previously not possible due to staffing shortages.
• Thousands of technologists  trained. More than 3,200 radiologic technologists have been trained nationwide on how to effectively manage contrast reactions in concert with the supervising physician.

Looking Ahead

CMS has made it official: virtual supervision isn’t a temporary fix; it’s the future of diagnostic imaging.

For imaging companies who act now, the opportunity is clear: safer care, stronger compliance, and more efficient operations.

2026 is the Year of Virtual Supervision.

ContrastConnect is here to help you make it your year, too.

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