Clinical Decision Support
for Imaging Appropriateness

ezCDS was qualified by CMS as a Clinical Decision Support Mechanism (CDSM) during the AUC program. It is ready to support ordering workflows aligned with the proposed ROOT Act, if enacted.

What is ezCDS?

ezCDS is a clinical decision support solution that helps healthcare professionals consult appropriate use criteria (AUC) when ordering advanced imaging studies such as CT, MRI, and nuclear medicine exams.

It was qualified by CMS as a Clinical Decision Support Mechanism (CDSM) under the AUC program. ezCDS is designed to integrate with your EHR, ordering portal, or operate as a stand-alone tool, supporting evidence-based decision-making and streamlining order workflows at the point of care.

AUC Program Status (June 2025)

The Appropriate Use Criteria (AUC) program, established under the Protecting Access to Medicare Act (PAMA) of 2014, is currently paused. In the CY 2024 Physician Fee Schedule Final Rule, CMS formally rescinded the implementing regulations at 42 CFR §414.94, effective January 1, 2024, due to ongoing technical and operational challenges.

However, the statutory requirement established by the Protecting Access to Medicare Act (PAMA) - a bipartisan law passed by Congress in April 2014 - remains in effect. PAMA introduced several provisions aimed at improving the quality and efficiency of care in the Medicare program. One of these mandates is that healthcare providers must consult appropriate use criteria (AUC) through a certified clinical decision support mechanism (CDSM) when ordering advanced diagnostic imaging services (such as MRI, CT, and nuclear medicine) for Medicare patients. While CMS has withdrawn the associated regulations, it retains the authority to pursue revised implementation through future rulemaking or new legislation.

ROOT Act Overview

In response to these challenges, the Radiology Outpatient Ordering Transmission (ROOT) Act was introduced in May 2025 by Senators Marsha Blackburn and Catherine Cortez Masto. This bipartisan bill proposes to amend PAMA by replacing the real-time claims reporting model with a streamlined point-of-care attestation process. The new proposed AUC implementation date is January 1, 2026.

You can read more at the CMS AUC Program Page or view the full bill at Congress.gov (S.1692). For implementation guidance or strategic planning, feel free to contact our team.