It looks like the MedPAC recommendation regarding imaging reimbursement formulas might come to light. RBMA recently sent out an alert confirming the potential for a cut of up to 40% for the high-end procedures (CT & MR) that we have been talking about. Below is the RBMA alert with some links to help you take action.

The pending Senate Finance Committee health reform legislation is expected to contain deep cuts to medical imaging via a change to the practice expense imaging equipment utilization rate assumption for MR and CT from 50% to 95%. MR and CT procedures will be cut anywhere between 5% and 40%, in addition to the cuts already put in place by the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005.

Please call both of your Senators and ask that they oppose these drastic reductions. Urge your Senators to register their support for common sense imaging utilization policies that promote clinical guidelines and to oppose arbitrary reimbursement cuts by signing on to a letter being circulated by Senator Herb Kohl (D-WI) and Senator Orrin Hatch (R-UT). Click here and look for your Senator’s Washington, DC office phone number. 

Call your Senator’s office TODAY and tell the person who answers the phone who you are, where you live, and that you are a constituent. Then, ask to speak with the Health Legislative Assistant (also known as the Health LA). Once you are transferred to the Health LA, please indicate that you are following-up on a meeting you had with them back in May regarding medical imaging. Please relay the following message:

Talking points

1. The Senate Finance Committee’s reform package will likely contain a steep arbitrary payment reduction for imaging services via a change in the payment formula for imaging without good data to justify such a change.
2. These cuts may be up to 40% on top of the drastic cuts contained in the DRA depending on the procedure.
3. If these cuts go through, the ability of my practice to continue to provide these outpatient services will be compromised and patients will be forced back into the hospital setting.
4. Please sign on to a letter being circulated by Senators Kohl and Hatch to the Finance Chair and Ranking Member expressing concern for the cuts and support for alternative common sense imaging policies such as adherence to appropriateness criteria. 
5. The deadline for Senators to sign on is THIS FRIDAY, June 19, 2009

Please click the links below to download the Kohl-Hatch letter as well as additional background should you wish to review them.

Click here to download the Kohl-Hatch letter.
Click here to download the additional background document.