January 2007 | Vol. 25, No. 1

DRA Reimbursement Imaging Cuts Implemented on 1/01/07

Despite intense legislative and regulatory advocacy efforts led by the Access to Medical Imaging Coalition (AMIC), in which the SVU was an active participant, the vascular ultrasound profession was unsuccessful in persuading Members of the 109th Congress to repeal the imaging provision of the Deficit Reduction Act (DRA) of 2005.  The imaging provision, which caps Medicare reimbursements for outpatient imaging procedures, took effect as planned on January 1, 2007, effectively reducing imaging reimbursements for many vascular providers operating in the physician (or IDTF) setting. 

With a new Democratic majority ready to assume control of the 110th Congress this week, the SVU will continue to focus its efforts on persuading Members of Congress to turn back these damaging cuts that could have the unintended effect of reducing patient access to these vital services. 

While SVU will continue to seek your assistance with these legislative activities, we thank those SVU members who faxed personal letters to their Members of Congress in 2006.  Those letters, which often described the likely impact of the DRA reimbursement cuts on patients, were noted by the AMIC as being very helpful in discussions with Members of Congress.  SVU will continue to update its members by email and through the SVU website on developments relating to the DRA imaging cuts and other legislative issues of interest, particularly when your help is needed with contacting Members of Congress.