Medicare cuts in cardiovascular services will lead to reduced access to imaging tests, reveals survey

Survey of Nuclear Cardiologists Shows Up to 25% of Practices May Close

The American Society of Nuclear Cardiology (www.asnc.org) released preliminary results from a survey of its membership today, which show that the impending cuts to cardiovascular services outlined in the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule will force widespread layoffs, office closures, and limited imaging services. These actions will ultimately lead to reduced access to imaging tests and more expensive care for America's seniors.

The reductions would result from implementation of new practice expense survey data (the Physician Practice Information Survey) into the methodology used to determine Medicare payment. As result of implementation of this new survey data, Medicare payment for SPECT myocardial perfusion imaging--a diagnostic test critical to the management of patients with known or suspected heart disease--will be reduced by 36% in 2010.

These cuts will have a devastating impact on practices and Medicare patients, especially those in rural areas. Of the practice surveys collected to date:

• 97% of respondents believe that Part B costs to Medicare would rise because patients would receive imaging tests in a hospital setting where Medicare reimbursement is higher than in private practice
• 94% of practices would reduce paid staff such as nurses and technologists
• 92% of respondents believe patients' co-pays will increase as much as 20% if they are forced to receive imaging tests in a hospital setting
• 59% of practices would limit practice hours
• 56% would sell their practice or merge with a local hospital
• 45% of practices would no longer be able to accept Medicare patients
• 25% would close their practice

SOURCE American Society of Nuclear Cardiology