The Access to Medical Imaging Coalition (AMIC), together with almost two dozen patient advocacy and professional organizations, has sent a letter to Congress urging it not to adopt a prior authorization policy and further reimbursement cuts for medical imaging services.
AMIC's coalition sent the letter to the chairmen and ranking members of the committees with jurisdiction over federal healthcare programs, as well as the chairs of the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction and House and Senate leadership.
The letter states that adopting the use of prior authorization, or radiology benefits managers (RBMs), in the Medicare system would directly block patient access to care and impose huge administrative burdens on providers and the Medicare program.
AMIC said that RBMs have not been proved effective through independent research, and that further reducing Medicare payments will continue to reduce access to imaging services in communities as centers and physician practices consolidate or close, leading to long wait times for appointments and longer driving distances to the nearest imaging center or hospital.
