DXA reimbursement will be cut 75% by 2010 if Congress does not act now. Reimbursement for imaging studies such as DXA has been reduced to the Hospital Outpatient Perspective Payment System (HOPPS) rate, based on a Deficit Reduction Act (DRA) provision. This reduction not only negatively affects rheumatologists who perform imaging studies in their offices, but will also affect access to care and increase costs for Medicare beneficiaries.
The ACR, together with American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, the International Society for Clinical Densitometry, and the Endocrine Society, engaged The Lewin Group to survey physicians about the cost of providing central DXA (spine and hip) in the office.
The Lewin Group sent a DXA cost-analysis survey to members of the four societies on July 12, 2007. The information gathered will be used to determine how the reimbursement cuts are affecting physicians and patients, as well as how much it actually costs to perform DXAs in a physician’s office. It will also be used to educate Congress and CMS staff.
Once the survey results have been calculated and a report drafted, the ACR will share the findings. For more information, contact Kristin Wormley at [email protected] or visit the advocacy section of www.rheumatology.org.