Download allow quality and cost control to be implemented

Statement from Medical Imaging & Technology Alliance Regarding GAO Report
That Reveals Deep Cuts to Medical Imaging Services and Flattened Utilization
Rates
The recent GAO report confirms deep payment reductions for advanced imaging services for
2007, the first year in which the Deficit Reduction Act (DRA) cuts were implemented. We
remain concerned about the consequences these payment reductions – as much as $1.64 billion in
2007 alone – will have on patient access to non-invasive diagnostic and therapeutic treatments.
Also, since the GAO warned that its measurement of current access to imaging is national and
"may not be indicative of trends in smaller geographic areas,” we believe the GAO's findings
regarding access are flawed. As the DRA cuts continue to be implemented in 2008 and beyond,
we remain deeply concerned that seniors will increasingly experience problems in receiving the
procedures and treatments they need and deserve.
The GAO does find that the utilization of advanced imaging has flattened. This trend shows not
only the deep nature of the first-year payment cuts to physicians, but also underscores the value
imaging services bring to today's healthcare. From breast MRI used to detect cancer to CT heart
scans, which are used to diagnose heart disease instead of invasive and costly catheterization,
medical imaging will continue to provide new clinical benefits to patients. As innovative
imaging technologies continue to demonstrate patient benefits and become increasingly vital to
modern-day medicine, we believe the deep and arbitrary cuts to imaging services may have the
unintended consequence of retarding diagnostic and therapeutic imaging innovation.
MITA does believe that Congress got it right in the recently enacted MIPPA by focusing on
appropriateness and accreditation criteria. It is these approaches, rather than payment cuts for
imaging scans, that will ensure patients get the right scan at the right time and that healthcare
decisions remain between physicians and patients. MITA and its members look forward to
continuing to working with Congress and CMS to achieve proper utilization goals.
Contact: Eric Hoffman, Powell Tate, 202.585.2808
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September 26, 2008