The Access to Medical Imaging Coalition (AMIC) has voiced its opposition to hospital outpatient payment reductions for diagnostic imaging services proposed by the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC).
In reaction to MedPAC testimony before a hearing in the U.S. House of Representatives Energy and Commerce Committee on May 21, AMIC asserted that MedPAC's proposal to reduce Medicare payments in hospital outpatient departments for imaging and other ambulatory services down to the level paid for services in physician offices could restrict patient access to diagnostic imaging services in the hospital setting.
Instead of additional Medicare payment cuts, AMIC supports the use of appropriate use criteria to empower clinicians to make treatment decisions based on a patient's needs without compromising access to imaging services.
