October 31, 2008 – The Medical Imaging & Technology Alliance (MITA), today praised the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for reconsidering its proposed physician fee schedule for 2009, which would have drastically limited patient access to diagnostic medical testing, including life-saving medical imaging technologies.
“MITA commends CMS for recognizing the value of accreditation and appropriateness criteria in its final version of the 2009 physician fee schedule," said Maureen Zilly, Director of Government Relations for MITA. “These provisions, which are included in the newly enacted Medicare law (MIPPA, Section 135, Public Law 110-275), are important steps toward ensuring proper utilization of medical imaging services, while preserving access to diagnostic and therapeutic imaging technologies.”
“After hearing from various stakeholders including Members of Congress, patient groups, manufacturers and physicians, I am pleased that CMS decided to update its proposed physician fee schedule to be consistent with Congress' approach in MIPPA before issuing final regulations," added Zilly. “This revised decision will benefit countless American seniors who would have been faced with unnecessary barriers to accessing the healthcare they need if CMS’s proposed decision had been accepted. MITA looks forward to working closely with CMS to ensure the successful implementation of MIPPA.”
For more information: www.medicalimaging.org