In February, 2006 President Bush signed into law the Deficit Reduction Act. Provisions in this bill may impact your organization.

To ensure that our customers are well-informed of this law and its potential implications, links to the Act and to relevant contact information are provided below.

The Deficit Reduction Act (DRA) outlines new legislative changes which will affect imaging centers in non-hospital outpatient settings. Specifically, the legislation provides:

• A cap on the technical component reimbursement for physician office (including diagnostic imaging centers) imaging to no more than the Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System (HOPPS) payment. Mammography is excepted from this provision. [Section 5102(a)]
• Accelerated reduction of payment for multiple procedures performed at the same time [Section 5102(b)]

In addition, the following are new policies included in DRA impacting imaging:

• Payment for physicians would be maintained at 2005 levels for calendar year 2006 only; rather than being cut by 4.4% (Section 5104)
• Coverage for screening of abdominal aortic aneurysms would be provided under Medicare (Section 5112)

View the Deficit Reduction Act

View the response from industry leaders and physician and patient communities:
Industry Coalition House Sign-On Letter

Take steps now

As an active champion for improved patient care, we are meeting with constituents nationwide to advocate a healthcare environment that will improve tangible, sustainable outcomes for both patients and providers. Your organization should also be taking steps to protect your ability to care for your patients.

To find out more about the impact that this legislation could have on your patient care or if you are a member of a professional society and would like to engage that organization to help, please contact your congressional representatives and/or professional societies below:

Professional societies