Dear AuntMinnie Member,
The U.S. Senate yesterday passed legislation that cancels an 11% pay cut in Medicare reimbursement that had been scheduled to take effect this month. The bill also implements provisions for accreditation of imaging providers that actually won the support of radiology advocates.
The Senate's approval of the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act -- by a veto-proof margin of 69 to 30 -- finally breaks a legislative logjam over Medicare's sustainable growth rate (SGR) formula, which would have mandated an automatic 10.6% pay cut beginning July 1. The bill also eliminates a 5% pay cut scheduled for January 2009.
The accreditation provisions call for providers of MRI, CT, PET, and other modalities to be accredited by 2012 in order to receive Medicare reimbursement. Radiology advocates believe the provision is a preferable alternative to other blunter instruments for tamping down utilization, such as cutting reimbursement. Find out what industry experts are saying about the bill by clicking here.
In other news, staff writer Kate Madden Yee analyzes another recent Medicare initiative, the proposed 2009 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule. That proposal also takes aim at imaging overutilization by requiring that physician groups enroll as independent diagnostic testing facilities (IDTFs) -- giving Medicare a tool for ensuring quality in imaging services.
Read about this story by clicking here, or for both articles visit our Imaging Center Digital Community at centers.auntminnie.com.
Analyzing echo contrast safety
Meanwhile, in our Ultrasound Digital Community, we're featuring an article by staff writer Erik L. Ridley that analyzes the recent U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) meeting on the regulation of echocardiography contrast agents.
The FDA imposed a black box warning on echo contrast last year, but in May allowed contrast manufacturers to use less stringent language within the labeling. At last month's meeting, the agency solicited advice from contrast users and developers on how to proceed with future regulation of the products. Learn more by clicking here.
Also read about a recent study that analyzed the safety of echo contrast, finding only a very small risk of major adverse events. You'll find that story by clicking here, or visit the Ultrasound Digital Community at ultrasound.auntminnie.com.
