Following the release of the final PET National Coverage Determination (NCD) on April 3, 2009, there may be questions about billing for studies that are newly covered or studies that remain covered through the National Oncologic PET Registry (NOPR).  The Society of Nuclear Medicine (SNM) has posted an announcement with recommendations concerning these billing questions. 

CMS will provide Medicare contractors with instructions in late April. The contractors will have 30 days to issue their instructions and update their systems. Contractors may not be fully ready for the new claims until early June. Claims for newly covered indications or claims for NOPR studies may have a high likelihood of being denied if they are submitted during this period. Contractors will provide instructions on how to resubmit these claims.

There's no question today's business climate is challenging. But we should remember that healthcare is an industry that will continue to evolve and grow despite economic uncertainty.

The medical imaging community has already seen decreased reimbursement since the Deficit Reduction Act took effect in January 2007. Now, the current economic crisis has brought about the necessity for imaging providers to review current practices, analyze their existing business, develop new strategies, pursue efficiencies, and increase productivity.

This tool kit, Simple Strategies for an Adverse Market, provides the resources to develop new strategies and offers suggestions of additional services that will improve your ability to tackle the challenges that diagnostic imaging centers face in these difficult times.

Visit our featured lecture How to Avoid Unnecessary Cancellations and Missed Appointments

Innovations’ 09 for Imaging Professionals education symposium will be held on July 16-18, 2009 at the JW Marriott Orlando, Grande Lakes, Orlando, Florida. 

The symposium is designed to provide imaging professionals with educational opportunities to improve their skills, learn new techniques, and utilize new technologies to maximize the use of their Siemens systems. With two of the seven Innovations ’09 educational tracks dedicated to PET•CT Sessions and Nuclear Medicine Sessions, this conference is your opportunity to:

• Discover new techniques and methods to maximize the use of your Siemens systems
• Walk away with fresh ideas and invaluable tools that will help you improve efficiencies and stay ahead of the technological curve
• Earn Category A CE credits that are fully recognized by the ARRT. Credits are pending approval from accrediting organizations.

Meeting highlights including an agenda, educational sessions, registration information, and networking events can be found at www.usa.siemens.com/Innovations2009/Imaging

Register by June 8, 2009 and save $100. Registration fees increase after this date.  The hotel reservation deadline date is June 24, 2009.

We hope you will join us in Orlando!

May is Melanoma Awareness Month.

Melanoma is the most serious form of skin cancer.   However, if recognized and treated early, it is nearly 100 percent curable.  If not treated early, the cancer can advance and spread to other parts of the body, becoming difficult to treat and potentially fatal.   While melanoma is not the most common of the skin cancers, it does cause the most deaths.  The American Cancer Society estimated that in 2008, there were 8,420 fatalities, 5,400 in men and 3,020 in women in the U.S. The number of new cases of melanoma was estimated at 62,480; of these, 34,950 were in men and 27,530 in women. 

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