Most Clicked SNM SmartBrief Stories
1. Experts raise concern over planned cuts for cardiovascular imaging
SNM SmartBrief | Nov 05, 2009
Cardiovascular imaging experts have expressed concern over the CMS' planned physician payment cuts for several cardiovascular imaging services, including a 36% cut for myocardial perfusion SPECT imaging, as part of the 2010 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule final rule. One expert said that because of the cuts, "private-practice cardiology will cease to exist as viable, and cardiologists will shift to hospitals or integrated systems." The agency will take comments on the final rule until Dec. 29. TheHeart.org (11/03)
2. 2010 Medicare fee schedule increases assumed equipment-use rate
SNM SmartBrief | Nov 02, 2009
The CMS on Friday announced that it is increasing the assumed equipment-use rate for medical equipment, including diagnostic imaging systems, from 50% to 90% as part of the new 2010 Medicare fee schedule rules. The agency also said it will require suppliers of advanced imaging services to be accredited by 2012. The new equipment utilization rate for medical imaging systems that cost more than $1 million will be introduced gradually over a four-year period. Diagnostic Imaging (11/02)
3. House passes medical isotope production bill
SNM SmartBrief | Nov 06, 2009
The House on Thursday passed the the American Medical Isotopes Production Act in a 400-17 vote. The bill, which now heads to the Senate, would allow for domestic production of medical isotopes, assuring steady availability in the U.S. The supply of molybdenum-99 is at risk because of the shutdown of a Canadian reactor and the scheduled shutdown of a Dutch reactor. RiverCountryJournal.com (Three Rivers, Mich.) (11/05)
4. State-level efforts against imaging self-referral under way
SNM SmartBrief | Nov 04, 2009
Government agencies and insurance companies at the state level have implemented steps to rein in imaging self-referral. Some of the measures include California Assembly Bill 2794 and Connecticut Public Act 09-2006, which would prevent doctors from billing for the technical component of CT, MRI or PET if they have not personally performed the service. The efforts could be replicated in other states, self-referral opponent Dr. David Levin said. Diagnostic Imaging (11/02)
5. Virginia university center starts use of breast-specific gamma imaging
SNM SmartBrief | Nov 03, 2009
The Breast Care Center at the University of Virginia Health System has started using breast-specific gamma imaging to diagnose breast cancer. Twelve patients so far have undergone the procedure. "The data to this time show that it can pick up smaller tumors than what we can see on a mammogram," an expert at the care center said. WVIR-TV (Charlottesville, Va.) (11/02)
6. Radiation protection drug could help hasten bone fracture healing
SNM SmartBrief | Nov 03, 2009
Mice treated with JP4-039, an experimental radiation protection drug, exhibited faster healing of fractured bones compared with the mice not treated with the drug, researchers said. The findings indicate that the drug has potential to help pediatric cancer patients who are vulnerable to the impact of radiation on bone growth and development, as well as people exposed to radiation during an accident or attack, a researcher said. EurekAlert! (11/02)
7. Study: Combined SPECT, CT helps identify heart disease risk
SNM SmartBrief | Nov 03, 2009
A study on 1,126 patients with no history of coronary artery disease found that using both SPECT and CT is more effective at identifying the risk of heart disease than using either test alone. "We're not recommending doing this to everybody. The patient has to have clinical risks," a researcher said. Reuters (11/02)
8. SPECT/CT PROSTASCINT imaging guides prostate cancer therapy
SNM SmartBrief | Nov 05, 2009
SPECT/CT images of PROSTASCINT, a monoclonal antibody attached to the radioisotope Indium-111 for specific targeting of prostate-specific membrane antigen, helped identify areas that needed increased doses of radioactive seeds in patients at risk for metastatic prostate cancer. The images also helped in evaluating for biochemical disease-free survival by showing the presence or absence of lymph node metastases. Reuters (11/04)
9. CMS allows reimbursement for Spectrum cancer drug Zevalin
SNM SmartBrief | Nov 05, 2009
The CMS approved reimbursement for Spectrum Pharmaceuticals' non-Hodgkin's lymphoma drug Zevalin, effective Jan. 1. The ruling removes "a significant historical barrier" to use of the drug, CEO Rajesh Shrotriya said. Reuters (11/03)
10. Radiation from procedures can be transmitted to others, study says
SNM SmartBrief | Nov 06, 2009
Patients who have undergone procedures using radiation need to be reminded that they can transmit radiation to others, a U.S. study said. Radiation therapy gives out higher amounts of radiation than nuclear scans, such as those using gamma cameras or PET, the study said. Patients who had brachytherapy need to take added precautions, the study also said. Welland Tribune (Ontario, Canada.) (11/05)
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Companies in the news
- ARM Inc.
- Alkermes Inc
- BioDelivery Sciences International
- DaVita Inc
- Flamel Technologies
- Fresenius Medical Care AG
- Genoptix Inc
- NovaDel Pharma Inc.