The Access to Medical Imaging Coalition and 23 other organizations representing specialty physician societies recently urged Congress to reject any additional Medicare payment reductions for medical imaging services.
“We are honored to join more than 82,000 physicians and other clinicians to underscore the impact of repeated Medicare payment cuts on physician practices, hospital radiology and other imaging departments,” said Tim Trysla, executive director of AMIC. “Within the past eight years, millions of patients have suffered the consequences of no fewer than 13 separate payment reductions directed at imaging services provided in physicians’ offices and hospitals. It is imperative that policymakers shift the tide to preserve access to imaging technologies that are critical for disease prevention and detection and that have turned millions of patients into survivors.”
With guidance from medical specialty societies, Congress has developed an Appropriate Use Criteria policy under the Protecting Access to Medicare Act, seeking to ensure efficient and appropriate utilization of imaging procedures. According to AMIC, in lieu of additional Medicare reimbursement cuts, Congress should first allow the AUC policy to be fully implemented within the Medicare system.
“As research continues to support the tremendous value of imaging, we encourage Congress to work with patients and physicians toward policies that promote the appropriate use of medical imaging, so that patients can benefit from the right scan at the right time,” Trysla said.
The Access to Medical Imaging Coalition represents U.S. physicians, medical providers, and patient organizations, in addition to health technology firms that manufacture imaging equipment and supplies.
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