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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Demand for imaging to swell after approval of new Alzheimer’s drug, GE HealthCare predicts

"We believe that this is a pretty profound growth opportunity across the space," CEO Peter Arduini told investors during a Q2 earnings call. 

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CMS proposes expanding coverage for PET scans related to Alzheimer’s disease

The agency is looking to lift the longstanding NCD that restricts patients to one amyloid-detecting positron emission tomography exam in their lifetime.

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CMS seeks feedback on issuing separate payment for diagnostic radiopharmaceuticals

The agency issued its solicitation as part of the recently released 2024 Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System proposed rule. 

Imaging advocates urge feds to fix PET coverage gap following approval of new Alzheimer’s drug

CMS intends to soon propose a new national coverage determination that would loosen restrictions around PET payment, according to a report published Monday. 

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New prostate cancer PET imaging agent officially available for commercial use

Posluma (flotufolastat F 18) received the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s approval in May 2023.

American College of Radiology, nuclear medicine society urge CMS to fix years-old billing code mistakes

SNMMI and ACR are pushing the agency to make modifications retroactive, so specialists can still claim lost revenues impacted by the error. 

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Will PET imaging be covered alongside new Alzheimer's drugs? CMS dodges topic in new coverage decision

The recent CMS coverage determination did not make any mention of beta-amyloid PET imaging that is necessary for both diagnosing Alzheimer’s and monitoring the effectiveness of related treatments.

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FDA clears GE HealthCare’s AI solution for enhancing PET/CT image quality

Precision DL was engineered using a deep neural network, trained with thousands of images, the Chicago-based company said May 30. 

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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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