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MEDICARE IMAGING CUTS

"The Access to Medicare Imaging Act of 2007," H.R. 1293 in the U.S. House of Representatives and S. 1338 in the U.S. Senate, calls for a two-year moratorium on the Medicare physician payment reductions for imaging services that were enacted under the Deficit Reduction Act (DRA) of 2005. The legislation directs the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to evaluate the impact of the DRA payment reductions on patient access and service issues, with a focus on seniors living in rural and medically underserved areas. H.R. 1293 also requires that the DRA imaging cuts apply only to "Advanced Diagnostic Imaging Services" defined in the legislation as MRI, CT, PET and nuclear cardiology. The bill stipulates that all other imaging services be excluded from the DRA cuts. This provision is new and was not contained in the DRA legislation introduced in the last Congress. The new provision is good news for AACE members since it would exclude ultrasound guidance, and x-ray procedures, such as DXA, from the DRA cuts. The Senate bill, S. 1338, does not include the "Advanced Diagnostic Imaging Services" provision, however it is hoped that this provision will be included in legislation that receives final approval from Congress.

AACE members are urged to contact their Members of Congress to request co-sponsorship of H.R. 1293 and S. 1338. To confirm the name of your federally-elected officials in the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate, please go to the Legislative & Regulatory Updates homepage on the AACE website, http://www.aace.com/advocacy/leg/index.php, and scroll down to the "Write To Congress" section and enter your home zip code. To call your federally elected officials, please dial the U.S. Capitol switchboard (202-225-3121) and ask to be transferred to the office you want to contact. Once you have been connected to the office, ask to speak with the staff member who works on health care issues.

Resources:

		Sample Letter to Congress
		Talking Points to Request Co-Sponsorship of H.R. 1293/S. 1338
		Patient Letter
		Current Co-Sponsors of H.R. 1293
		Current Co-Sponsors of S. 1338
		AACE Letter of Endorsement for H.R. 1293

Background Information:

AMA House of Delegates Votes Overwhelmingly in Support of AACE Resolution to Protect Patient Access to High Quality Imaging Service
Co-signers on imaging letter to Speaker Hastert
Cuts In Medicare Payment for In Office Imaging Services
Republican Dear Colleague Letter
AACE Legislative Fact Sheet