The Academy of Molecular Imaging (AMI) is working with the American College of Radiology Imaging Network (ACRIN) on the development of a national registry of PET studies to help researchers comply with reimbursement rules promulgated by the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) last week.
Participation in the registry will be available to all PET sites using a full or partial-ring PET scanner, according to the Los Angeles-based AMI. The coverage will not be effective until the data registry is implemented, which will take up to an additional eight to 10 weeks. The presently covered cancers and indications will continue to be covered outside of the registry.
The AMI has provided a chart of currently covered cancers and indications, which is available 
The AMI said the registry plan will require each site to apply to participate in the project. After the site's application has been processed, patients can be enrolled in the registry by providing demographic information, and by submitting information from a short pre-PET case report form that must be completed by the referring physician. These data will include the reason for doing the study, the cancer type and stage if known, patient functional status, and planned management plan if PET were not available.
After the PET scan is completed, another form must be completed by the referring physician. The information to be gathered on the second form will relate to the specific reason for ordering the study, such as diagnosis, staging, restaging, or therapy monitoring, and will ask questions related to the post-PET revised management plan.
After the second form has been entered into the database, CMS can be billed for the study. There will be an initial charge for each site to apply for participation, as well as a charge for each patient entered into the registry.
Details of the registry are being finalized, and more information will be provided as it becomes available, the AMI said.
By AuntMinnie.com staff writers
February 7, 2005
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