Nuclear Medicine

Nuclear medicine (also called molecular imaging) includes positron emission computed tomography (PET) and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging. Nuclear imaging is achieved by injecting small amounts of radioactive material (radiopharmaceuticals) into patients before or during their scan. These can use sugars or chemical traits to bond to specific cells. The radioactive material is taken up by cells that consume the sugars. The radiation emitted from inside the body is detected by photon detectors outside the body. Computers take the data to assemble images of the radiation emissions. Nuclear images may appear fuzzy or ghostly rather than the sharper resolution from MRI and CT.  But, it provides metabolic information at a cellular level, showing if there are defects in the function of the heart, areas of very high metabolic activity associated with cancer cells, or areas of inflammation, data not available from other modalities. These noninvasive imaging exams are used to diagnose cancer, heart disease, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, bone disorders and other disorders. 

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CMS grants transitional pass-through payment status for prostate cancer PET imaging agent

The federal agency typically grants this designation to allow Medicare beneficiaries broader access to new and innovative drugs. 

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123 organizations come out in support of FIND Act aimed at strengthening diagnostic imaging pay

Backers include societies representing radiologists and nuclear medicine professionals, device manufacturers, patient advocacy groups, and pharmaceutical companies. 

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ACR, others push for imaging-agent pay fix as House leaders plan hearing on topic

The House Energy and Commerce Committee announced Tuesday that it will hold a hearing to discuss the FIND Act. 

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Startup radiopharmaceutical developer Mariana Oncology raises $175M in series B financing

The company has developed a portfolio of nuclear medicine solutions including "lead candidate" MC-339, used for treating small cell lung cancer.

Imaging advocacy group hopes to counteract ‘dangerous care delays and denials’ in PET payment

The American Society of Nuclear Cardiology is pushing payers to more consistently and correctly cover medically necessary scans without prior authorization. 

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Fearing delays, American College of Radiology urges CMS not to leave PET payment decisions up to MACs

ACR is concerned such a scenario would result in delayed and highly variable coverage determinations across the U.S. 

Beset with problems, radiology provider Akumin forms special committee to evaluate its strained capital structure

Its challenges have included a key imaging center shuttered by a hurricane, equipment delivery delays and problems filling positions. 

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RBMA, ACR, RadNet and Rayus Radiology urge CMS to fix ‘burdensome’ reporting requirement

The groups are concerned that the rule could result in billing errors, inadvertent payment denials and slow claims processing. 

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Around the web

Health Imaging
Outdated manuals pose MRI safety risks for patients with medical implants

After reviewing years of data from its clinic, one institution discovered that issues with implant data integrity frequently put patients at risk. 

Health Imaging
What might reimbursements for proposed MRI safety CPT codes look like?

Prior to the final proposal’s release, the American College of Radiology reached out to CMS to offer its recommendations on payment rates for five out of the six the new codes.

Health Imaging
'A very, very good thing'—CMS proposes reimbursements for providers' efforts to ensure MRI safety

“Before these CPT codes there was no real acknowledgment of the additional burden borne by the providers who accepted these patients."

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