AdvaMed Praises CMS Draft Rule Improving Patient Access to Alzheimer’s, Cancer Diagnostics
Calls on CMS to continue work on payment, coverage of AI- and ML-driven medtech
WASHINGTON – Today, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued the Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System and Ambulatory Surgical Center Payment System proposed rule for CY25, which includes significant wins for patients, including separate payments for diagnostic radiopharmaceuticals, which improves access and ensures better treatment and care. Also of note, CMS’s proposed rule includes coverage for CT Colonography, or virtual colonoscopy, an important tool in detecting colorectal cancer.
“CMS’s proposal to include separate payments for diagnostic pharmaceuticals is an important step forward, particularly for patients suffering from Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, heart disease, and certain types of cancer. We thank the agency for listening to us and the patient groups advocating for this much-needed change,” said Scott Whitaker, AdvaMed President and CEO. “There is still more work to be done, especially for coverage of the next generation of medical technologies driven by AI and machine learning. We look forward to working further with CMS, patient groups, and policymakers to ensure CMS is as innovative and nimble in its coverage and payment policies as the medical technologies themselves.”
“CMS’s proposal for separate payment of diagnostic radiopharmaceuticals is welcome news to millions of patients and their family members who will now have better access. With this proposal, CMS is recognizing the value of diagnostic radiopharmaceuticals and the importance of expanding access of these diagnostic imaging agents to more patients so that they might receive better treatment and care,” said Patrick Hope, AdvaMed Medical Imaging Executive Director.“Achieving separate payment for diagnostic radiopharmaceuticals continues to be a top priority for AdvaMed members. We look forward to working with all stakeholders in support of finalizing this proposal.”
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