In a letter to MedPAC Chairman Glenn Hackbarth, the Access to Medical Imaging Coalition asked MedPAC to reconsider its plan to reduce reimbursements and require prior authorization for imaging services.
The coalition said the commission's recommendations would limit access to diagnostic imaging services without yielding significant savings to Medicare. The coalition includes dozens of medical imaging groups and professional medical associations, and nine patient advocacy groups — including It's My Heart, Colon Cancer Alliance and Kidney Cancer Association — that cosigned the letter with the coalition.
The letter specifically addressed MedPAC's call for prior authorization for imaging services, saying that the standard has never been used in the Medicare program and prevents necessary access to care. The letter said the need for prior authorization also "places huge administrative burdens on providers, and has not been shown to reduce costs over the long term."
Read the letter from AMIC to MedPAC Chairman Glenn Hackbarth.
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The coalition said the commission's recommendations would limit access to diagnostic imaging services without yielding significant savings to Medicare. The coalition includes dozens of medical imaging groups and professional medical associations, and nine patient advocacy groups — including It's My Heart, Colon Cancer Alliance and Kidney Cancer Association — that cosigned the letter with the coalition.
The letter specifically addressed MedPAC's call for prior authorization for imaging services, saying that the standard has never been used in the Medicare program and prevents necessary access to care. The letter said the need for prior authorization also "places huge administrative burdens on providers, and has not been shown to reduce costs over the long term."
Read the letter from AMIC to MedPAC Chairman Glenn Hackbarth.
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UPMC Highmark Still Can't Reach Agreement
Illinois Panel Approves Temporary Health Insurance Plan for State Workers
North Dakota Lawmakers Draft Legislation for Health Insurance Exchange