MITA: MedPAC offers no new proof of imaging overuse

The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission's (MedPAC) March report to Congress on Medicare payment policy offers no new evidence of the overuse of medical imaging, according to the Medical Imaging and Technology Alliance (MITA).

The 2017 report consists of a review of medical imaging services delivered in both hospital and independent physician settings. MedPAC found that growth in the use of medical imaging only rose 0.5% per Medicare beneficiary since 2009; however, the agency chose to focus on growth of 85% from 2000 to 2009 and warned that specialty care is overvalued at the expense of primary care.

The MedPAC assessment puts forth an incomplete picture of imaging utilization, using old data and old methodologies, MITA said.

"The latest MedPAC report fails to take into account the many new advances in imaging technologies that, when used appropriately, are proven to help prevent costly, invasive procedures down the road," Executive Director Patrick Hope said in a statement. "Rather than again pursuing arbitrary cuts to reimbursement for these procedures, an evidence-based approach rooted in appropriate use criteria is the best policy solution to guide utilization and ensure optimal results for patients."

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