MO HB982

Defines "practicing medicine" to include countermanding a treating physician's treatment order or recommendation by any means intended to influence a patient to refuse or choose a different service.

Requires that decisions to deny authorization for diagnostic radiology testing ordered by a treating physician must be made only by a physician licensed in Missouri and subject to state board regulation.

Mandates that radiology benefit managers provide the treating physician and patient with the full name, mailing address, telephone number, and employer of the denying physician when authorization is denied.

Establishes that any authorization granted for diagnostic radiology testing becomes conclusive proof of medical necessity and requires timely payment of claims unless fraud occurred in obtaining the authorization.

Defines diagnostic radiology testing to include X-ray, CT scans, MRI, PET scans, fluoroscopy, ultrasound, and nuclear imaging studies.