Washington, D.C. – The Medical Imaging & Technology Alliance (MITA) – the leading trade association representing manufacturers of medical imaging equipment, radiopharmaceuticals, contrast media, and focused ultrasound therapeutic devices – applauds Representatives Neal Dunn (R-FL), Greg Murphy (R-NC), Scott Peters (D-CA) and Terri Sewell (D-AL) for their introduction of The Facilitating Innovative Nuclear Diagnostics (FIND) Act of 2023 (H.R. 1199).
The FIND Act is a bipartisan, budget-neutral bill that would protect Medicare beneficiaries’ access to advanced diagnostic imaging procedures that identify dangerous conditions, including heart disease, neurologic disorders, and cancers, in early stages. Current Medicare payment methodology restricts access to these innovations by reimbursing diagnostic radiopharmaceuticals through a packaged payment system, creating a significant barrier for Medicare patients who need newer, more precise diagnostic nuclear imaging drugs. The FIND Act addresses this issue by directing the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to pay separately for all diagnostic radiopharmaceuticals with a cost threshold per day of $500 or more.
“Innovative diagnostic tools, like molecular imaging, are quickly changing the medical landscape, but patients ultimately suffer if providers can’t access these new technologies,” said Rep. Scott Peters. “Our bill, the FIND Act, represents a bipartisan, patient-first policy that will help more Americans access precise diagnostic imaging and make better informed personal health decisions.”
“As a practicing surgeon, I know first-hand how essential accurate testing and imaging diagnostics are - not only when screening for disease but also for evaluating treatment efficiency or monitoring disease progression,” said Rep. Greg Murphy, MD. “By appropriately paying for newer radiopharmaceuticals, the FIND Act improves access to advanced technology by more closely aligning reimbursement with procedure cost.”
“Alzheimer’s disease, breast cancer, and prostate cancer have disproportionately impacted Black Americans and minority populations. We know management and treatment of these diseases can be improved with early detection. However, Medicare’s reimbursement structure restricts access to these innovative diagnostics for too many of the hospitals serving these populations,” said Rep. Terri Sewell. “Addressing healthcare disparities must include screening and early diagnosis. The FIND Act is a critical step towards addressing these long-standing disparities and improving health outcomes, particularly among our minority, economically fragile, and rural communities.”
“Current CMS payment methodology for radiopharmaceuticals averages both new innovations and older widely used drugs, resulting in taxpayers overpaying for the low-cost imaging drugs while significantly underpaying for more specialized drugs,” said Rep. Neal Dunn, MD. “The FIND Act addresses this discrepancy, ultimately improving access to imaging drugs that can efficiently and accurately diagnose conditions like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, advanced cardiac disease, and prostate and other cancers.”
“Diagnostic nuclear imaging is a revolutionary technology that allows physicians to evaluate organ function and optimizes their ability to determine the best treatment for patients. Yet for years, flawed Medicare policy has meant Americans have not had appropriate access to diagnostic nuclear imaging procedures,” said Patrick Hope, Executive Director of the Medical Imaging and Technology Alliance. “We encourage Congress to pass the FIND Act and allow more Americans to receive early, accurate diagnoses and improve treatment outcomes.”
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The Medical Imaging & Technology Alliance (MITA), a division of NEMA, is the collective voice of medical imaging equipment manufacturers, innovators, and product developers. It represents companies whose sales comprise more than 90 percent of the global market for advanced medical imaging technology. For more information, visit www.medicalimaging.org. Follow MITA on Twitter @MITAToday.