The Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI) has published appropriate use criteria (AUC) for ventilation/perfusion (V/Q) imaging for pulmonary embolism (PE).
The appropriate use criteria are intended to help referring physicians and other healthcare providers fulfill the requirements of the 2014 Protecting Access to Medicare Act (PAMA). Beginning January 1, 2018, PAMA will require referring physicians to consult AUC developed by a qualified provider-led entity (PLE), such as SNMMI, to ensure cost-effective and appropriate utilization of advanced diagnostic imaging services.
A V/Q scan measures breathing and circulation in all areas of the lungs and can effectively diagnose pulmonary embolisms, which affect 300,000 to 600,000 individuals annually in the U.S. Unfortunately, sudden death occurs in approximately 25% of those cases.
Just last month, the organization published new appropriate use criteria for bone scintigraphy. SNMMI's offerings are part of its duties as a qualified PLE under Medicare's AUC program for advanced diagnostic imaging.
