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Medicare Reimbursement Rates for DXA Not Extended by Congress
Congress did not include an extension of the current Medicare reimbursement rates for DXA in the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act, H.R. 3630. Despite a strong advocacy effort carried out by NOF and the DXA Coalition in contacting Members of Congress, as well as strong bipartisan support among many of the House and Senate conferees who negotiated the tax package, there was some opposition to extending the current Medicare reimbursement rates for DXA, resulting in the provisions being eliminated from the final package.
NOF worked with the DXA Coalition to secure support from 22 patient, professional, health and community organizations who signed on to a letter sent to conferees on January 30 urging them to include language to protect current reimbursement levels is he in the final conference report (H.R. 3630). On February 9, NOF sent out an alert to its advocates and to NBHA member organizations asking them to contact their Members of Congress and urge them to protect patient access to osteoporosis testing by including current reimbursement levels in the in the final conference report (H.R. 3630).
NOF, with its partners in the DXA Coalition, will work in the months ahead to address the concerns expressed by some Members of Congress, which include obtaining stronger data to reflect the impact of DXA reimbursement policy on patient access to bone density testing, utilization rates and a report by the Institute of Medicine studying these same issues.
There will be another opportunity to get the current DXA payment rates extended after the elections this fall when Congress addresses the next Medicare physician payment (SGR) cut, scheduled to take effect January 1, 2013. In the meantime, the DXA Coalition will also work with the Administration to see what, if any, relief can be provided to physicians to ensure the healthcare system’s capacity for providing osteoporosis testing and treatment services is not irrevocably diminished.
In the meantime we need your continued support to raise awareness of the negative impact that drastic cuts to Medicare reimbursement rates for DXA may have on those living with or at risk for osteoporosis.
The latest
Last week, a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Panel voted that the risks of calcitonin salmon outweigh the benefits for the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis. The panel joined health authorities around the world in reviewing the drug’s safety after two recent studies showed slightly higher rates of cancer among patients taking calcitonin. The panel voted against continued use of the drug by a narrow majority, pointing out that it has not been found very effective in preventing bone fractures.
In today's Washington Post article "Calcium and Vitamin D findings show that caring for your bones can be compilicated," NOF's senior clinical director, Dr. Felicia Cosman helps clear up some of the confusion around the recent and conflicting research on calcium and vitamin D. She says: "It’s confusing, even for doctors. But there’s a common thread: None of the heart or kidney risks were associated with calcium from food."
CIRCA, the leading international buyer of fine jewelry, diamonds and watches, announced a new partnership with NOF at a Generations of Strength luncheon at the Friars Club in New York City on February 26. To kick-off the partnership, CIRCA’s Acting CEO Mary L. Forté presented NOF Executive Director and CEO Amy Porter with a check for $25,000, to support NOF’s mission.
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