Almost half of U.S. women covered by or eligible for Medicare have not been screened for breast cancer for at least three years, according to a study just out from the Radiology Business Management Association.
Presenting its findings in an announcement sent to the press Oct. 20, RBMA places the pervasive mammography underutilization in the context of looming cuts in Medicare reimbursement to providers.
“As policymakers continue to propose cuts to Medicare, it is clear any new cuts would worsen health inequities and damage the health of the American people,” RBMA executive director Bob Still says. “At a time when patients are already having difficulty receiving the care they need—like mammography screenings proven to detect and prevent breast cancer—members of Congress should take note of these findings and protect Medicare.”
RBMA’s Radiology Patient Action Network commissioned the Remington Research Group to conduct the survey. The group received completed surveys in late September from 1,632 Americans of Medicare age.
The project was co-sponsored by the Medical Imaging and Technology Alliance (MITA) and RBMA’s Imaging for a Cause Foundation (ICF).
Other key findings to emerge from the survey:
- 80% of respondents indicated they are concerned with proposed cuts to Medicare, and 90% of Americans view maintaining Medicare coverage as important.
- 1 in 4 respondents reported difficulty scheduling doctors’ appointments due to delays or rescheduling.
- Almost half said they would be less likely to support a member of Congress who favors physician pay cuts.
Radiologist Kellie Schenk, MD, of Epic Imaging in Oregon, who’s active with Imaging for a Cause, tells RBMA she’s concerned about ramifications of the survey’s mammography findings.
“Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women and, if not caught and treated early, can be disfiguring and deadly,” Schenk says. “It is clear that further cuts to Medicare providers and vital screening services would only exacerbate this issue by limiting appointments and compromising quality of care.”
Dave P. has worked in journalism, marketing and public relations for more than 30 years, frequently concentrating on hospitals, healthcare technology and Catholic communications. He has also specialized in fundraising communications, ghostwriting for CEOs of local, national and global charities, nonprofits and foundations.