A number of imaging organizations are voicing their opposition to proposed payment reductions related to myocardial PET equipment.
The issue is a decision by the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to assume a 90% utilization rate for PET cameras.
The objecting organizations include the following:
- American College of Cardiology (ACC)
- American College of Nuclear Medicine (ACNM)
- American Society of Nuclear Cardiology (ASNC)
- Cardiology Advocacy Alliance (CAA)
- Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI)
The groups are aggressively working to correct the inputs and calculations for the payment formula through the public comment process and communication with policymakers.
"If it becomes clear this cannot be accomplished within the constraints of the rulemaking timeline, we will seek alternative approaches, such as a delay period, to allow further analysis and other efforts to continue," the SNMMI wrote in a statement.
The groups have also scheduled a complimentary webinar for Monday, September 9, at 3:00 p.m. Eastern time to explain the new 2020 SPECT, SPECT/CT, cardiac PET, and cardiac PET/CT codes.
In addition, the societies are seeking information on imaging centers that have installed PET or PET/CT systems in the past several years and asking them to provide deidentified paid invoices for the following equipment as they are being priced for the first time:
- PET imaging camera, cardiac PET camera, or refurbished/remanufactured PET camera
- PET generator infusion cart
- Myocardial blood-flow hardware and software
