What Cuts Mean For Seniors

AMIC believes that the severe payment reductions in the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 for medical imaging services will harm patient access to such services, especially in rural areas. Click for more. Among our concerns:

• A rushed and inadequate process, with no hearings or public discussion;
• Disproportionately large cuts, upwards of 30-50% for many imaging procedures;
• Delays in getting appointments for Medicare patients who have to seek care in hospital outpatient departments; and
• Reduced access for Medicare patients in rural areas who may be forced to drive long distances for imaging services.

AMIC supports the Access to Medicare Imaging Act of 2007 which would impose a 2-year moratorium on further implementation of the DRA cuts, while the Government Accountability Office evaluates how the cuts will affect patients.