Senators Urge CMS to Improve Access to Diagnostic Radiopharmaceuticals

U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) led a bipartisan group of senators in a communication to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) requesting the agency improve patients’ access to positron emission tomography (PET) and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) scans by addressing inadequate packaging of payment for diagnostic radiopharmaceuticals used in diagnostic scans.

These scans help physicians identify certain diseases more effectively, including Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, advanced cardiovascular disease and prostate cancer.

The American College of Radiology® (ACR®) long supported addressing the packaging of payment for diagnostic radiopharmaceuticals so that beneficiaries have access to the care they need. The College continues to advocate with other organizations to ensure CMS includes something on this issue in upcoming rulemaking.

For questions, contact Ashley Walton, ACR Government Affairs Director.