The Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 wasn't a complete disaster for radiology. Tucked into the legislation is a provision that establishes Medicare reimbursement for ultrasound screening of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA).
The Screening Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms Very Efficiently (SAAAVE) Act was part of the DRA legislation signed into law by President George Bush last week. The act calls for Medicare to cover one-time abdominal aortic aneurysm screening tests using ultrasound for men ages 65-75 with histories of smoking, as well as men and women ages 65-75 with a family history of AAA.
The legislation amends the Social Security Act to provide coverage under Part B, with patients at risk of AAA receiving scans as part of their "Welcome to Medicare" physical. Reimbursement will begin on January 1, 2007, and the legislation also includes funding for a national AAA informational campaign.
By AuntMinnie.com staff writers
February 13, 2006
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