RSNA News - May 2005

Announcements

Medicare Expands Coverage of Carotid Artery Stenting

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has expanded coverage of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty of the carotid artery concurrent with stent placement in patients who are at high risk for carotid endarterectomy. CMS said the coverage expansion reflects the latest evidence on the effective use of stenting, and includes support for development of better evidence in additional uses.

 “CMS is committed to providing broader access to appropriate and innovative care to our beneficiaries in the management of their carotid artery disease,” said CMS Administrator Mark B. McClellan, M.D., Ph.D. “We are working with health professionals and product developers to reduce the occurrence of stroke in our population, and getting the maximum health improvements possible by soliciting and responding to public comments on the most effective way to provide improved coverage.”

For more information, go to www.cms.hhs.gov/media/press/release.asp?Counter=1391.

CARE Bill Back on Congressional Agenda

Congressman Chip Pickering (R-Miss.) has re-introduced a bill designed to ensure that health professionals who perform radiologic procedures are properly qualified.

The Consumer Assurance of Radiologic Excellence (CARE) bill, H.R. 1426, directs the Department of Health and Human Services to establish educational and credentialing standards for personnel who plan and deliver radiation therapy and perform all types of diagnostic imaging procedures except medical ultrasound. States would be required to meet the federal minimum standards or risk losing federal reimbursement for radiologic procedures.

“The CARE bill will benefit patients by ensuring their examinations and treatments are conducted by trained, experienced and licensed technologists,” said Rep. Pickering. “The result will be a better diagnosis and treatment for the patient, with fewer repeat procedures due to human error, and less exposure of patients to radiation.” 

The CARE bill was previously introduced in the House in 2000, 2001 and 2003. Members of the American Society of Radiologic Technologists participated in their annual “R.T. in D.C.” event in April to encourage Congress to pass the CARE bill. 

Fifty-four members of the American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology (ASTRO) met with lawmakers in March to promote the society's legislative priorities.

“Radiation oncology is an extremely important, cost-effective, but often overlooked specialty that is used to help more than one half of all cancer patients,” said ASTRO Chair Theodore S. Lawrence, M.D., Ph.D.

The topics discussed included increased funding for cancer research, physician self-referral and medical imaging utilization, and correcting the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule.

IRQN Competition

The International Radiology Quality Network (IRQN) has announced a worldwide competition for original manuscripts dealing with the topics of quality improvement in radiology and medical imaging practices.

The winning manuscripts will be published in the Journal of the American College of Radiology (JACR). Instructions for authors are available in JACR and will be available from the IRQN Secretariat after July 1, 2005.

For more information, contact irqn@ranzcr.edu.au.

Medical Imaging Company News

Siemens Medical Solutions has announced the acquisition of all business of CTI Molecular Imaging, Inc., including CTI PET Systems, PETNET Solutions, CTI Mirada Solutions, CTI Molecular Technologies and CTI Concorde Microsystems.

"This step is a natural progression in our long-time association with CTI, and reflects Siemens' overall strategy to transform the delivery of healthcare by developing trendsetting innovations that improve patient care while reducing costs," said Erich Reinhardt, Ph.D., president and chief executive officer of Siemens Medical Solutions.