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NOF Supports Extending Payment Relief to Protect Patient Access to Much-Needed Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA) Testing
A new study published this week in the December issue of Health Affairs looked at the impact cuts in Medicare Part B reimbursement have had on access and utilization of DXA testing, the imaging procedure accepted as the gold standard for diagnosing osteoporosis. The study found that after a decade of growth, DXA testing in all Part B settings was stagnant from 2007-2009, resulting in 800,000 fewer tests than expected for Medicare beneficiaries, which if conducted, may have prevented approximately 12,000 fractures. NOF joins with the study authors in calling on Congress to extend payment relief for DXA testing for at least two years in order to protect patient access to osteoporosis testing and reduce the physical and economic burden of osteoporosis.
