Press Releases

CQ (11/17, Bristol, Subscription Publication) reports, "The Medical Imaging and Technology Alliance (MITA) sponsored an analysis of Medicare carrier data that found that spending on imaging services per beneficiary has dropped 13.2 percent since 2006, when deficit reduction law reimbursement cuts began. Per beneficiary imaging use dropped by three percent just in 2010." MITA Executive Director David Fisher said that this decrease runs "counter to 'tremendous advances' in imaging and radiation therapy technologies" and said it "raises serious concerns about whether or not patients are receiving the care they need."

Health Imaging (11/17, Godt) reports, "An analysis of Medicare data released by the Medical Imaging and Technology Alliance (MITA), found that Medicare spending on medical imaging continues to decline and that Medicare patients are receiving fewer imaging procedures. The report shows that spending on imaging services for each Medicare beneficiary has dropped 13.2 percent since 2006" and "Imaging utilization per beneficiary declined by 3 percent in 2010. Spending for non-imaging Medicare services has grown by 20 percent since 2006 and utilization increased 2 percent in 2010." American College of Radiology Board of Chancellors chair John A. Patti, MD is quoted as saying, "According to these data, the goal of bending the cost curve has indeed been achieved for medical imaging" and that "further reductions would represent socially irresponsible policy."

In its ImagingBiz Newswire, the Radiology Journal (11/17) notes, "'Current evidence, including this analysis, debunks the myth that imaging is significantly overused and somehow responsible for escalating healthcare costs,' John A. Patti, MD, FACR, chairman of the American College of Radiology (ACR) Board of Chancellors, noted in the MITA-issued statement. 'Unlike other areas of medicine, imaging utilization and spending are on the decline. ... Any further reductions would represent socially irresponsible policy.'"

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