Thirteen patient groups have submitted a letter urging the U.S. Congress to reject proposals to restrict patient access to medical imaging and radiation therapy technologies.
In the letter, the patient advocacy organizations ask Congress to reject additional reimbursement cuts, support Medicare coverage decisions that facilitate access to appropriate medical imaging, and oppose obstacles to appropriate scans, such as radiology benefits managers (RBMs) in Medicare.
The groups recommend the adoption of evidence-based, physician-developed appropriateness criteria to guide utilization of medical imaging technologies.
The Medical Imaging and Technology Alliance (MITA) is supporting the initiative, saying Congress should work with patients and physicians to implement imaging policies and support coverage decisions that promote patient access to imaging scans and the appropriate therapy.
