On July 1, 2009, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) posted an advance copy of the proposed rule for Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System (HOPPS) which included calendar year 2010 payment rates. This is a proposed rule, and CMS will accept public comments until August 31, 2009. The final rule is expected to be issued by November 1, 2009.

Highlights of the proposed rule for PET imaging:

• CMS continues packaging payments for diagnostic radiopharmaceuticals in with the payment for the technical component of the procedure.
• Non-myocardial PET scans (78608, 78811-78816) remain in APC 308 with a proposed payment of $1051.08, a 1.37 percent increase over the 2009 rate.
• Myocardial PET scans (78459, 78491-78492) remain in APC 307 with a proposed payment of $1429.28, a 23.55 percent increase over the 2009 rate.

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