Mar. 7, 2005

IMAGING

MedPAC Delivers Imaging Recommendations to Congress
On March 1, the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) released its annual report to Congress that outlines recommendations for Medicare coverage and reimbursement policies. This year’s report firmly stated a commitment to “differentiate among providers when making payments.” As part of this overall shift toward pay-for-performance models, the report includes six recommendations aimed at curbing the rising volume of diagnostic imaging tests. MedPAC’s imaging recommendations instruct Congress to mandate credentialing and accreditation criteria for imaging providers.

The ACC joined with its partners in the Coalition for Patient-Centered Imaging to caution policymakers against acting upon any imaging proposals without evidence-based, modality-specific data. Visit the ACC’s Imaging Issue Center to view testimony, press releases and statements related to this issue.

South Carolina House Passes Medical Liability Reform Bill
South Carolina came one step closer to enacting meaningful liability reform legislation last week as the state’s House of Representatives passed a bill capping non-economic damages at $350,000. The bill also calls for early mediation to prevent frivolous lawsuits from reaching the courthouse. The legislation now goes to the state Senate for consideration.

QUALITY IMPROVEMENT

CDC Releases Recommendations for Reporting Hospital Infections
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently announced a new set of recommendations for setting up mandatory reporting systems for healthcare-associated infections. Responding to inquiries about methods of effectively capturing infection data, the CDC offered best practices for designing a comprehensive and user-friendly data collection system. The CDC estimates that approximately 90,000 patients die each year from infections contracted in hospital settings. Click here to view the CDC’s press release outlining the agency’s recommendations.

FDA Issues Crestor Warning
Last week, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a public health advisory on the statin drug Crestor. The advisory informs providers of label revisions that reflect heightened risks for muscle injury in Asian American patients. The FDA is also warning consumers about the risk of kidney failure associated with all statins, including Crestor. Click here to read the FDA advisory.

LIFEPAK 500 Automated External Defibrillators Recalled
Medtronic Inc. recently announced a voluntary Class 1 recall of LIFEPAK 500 automated external defibrillators due to a potential malfunction with the “connect electrodes” message. The 1,924 AEDs affected by the recall may continue to display the “connect electrodes” message even when the electrodes are properly connecting, which prevents the device from analyzing the patient’s heart rhythm. Medtronic’s statement announcing the recall is available online.

Senators Introduce Drug Study Database Bill
Sens. Chris Dodd, D-Conn., and Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, introduced legislation last week that would require pharmaceutical and medical device companies to register clinical trial results in a public electronic database. The Fair Access to Clinical Trials Act would create an online database with information about study outcomes and funding, potential drug side effects and demographic information on test subjects. The bill would also require the FDA to make internal approval and safety reviews publicly available.

CMS Offers New Guide to Medicare Drug Benefit
In the second of the series of articles on the Medicare Drug Benefit, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) outline critical information for providers. Scheduled to go into effect Jan. 1, 2006, the new drug benefit requires all Medicare beneficiaries to make a decision this fall about their coverage plan. This article aims to help providers answer some common patient questions about available prescription drug plans. Click here to view the CMS article.

ADVOCACY AT ACC '05

ACC ’05 Showcases the Many Sides of Advocacy
From Political Action Committee dinners to exciting educational sessions, here are some events you don’t want to miss at the ACC’s 54th Annual Scientific Session:

Implementing Best Practices of Cardiology (co-sponsored with MGMA)
Date: Sunday, March 6
Time: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Location: Room 230D, Orange County Convention Center
* MGMA consultants will be on-hand at Booth # 2376 to provide free mini-consultations

EXTRA! Media Predicts Outcome of 2005 Health Care Agenda
Date: Sunday, March 6
Time: 9 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Location: Room 232A, Orange County Convention Center

PAC Chair's Leadership Circle Dinner (Ticketed event)
Date: Sunday, March 6
Time: 8 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Location: Emeril’s Tchoup Chop Restaurant, Royal Pacific Resort at Universal Studios, 6300 Hollywood Way, Orlando
Honored guest: Rep. Tom Price, M.D., R-Ga.
Special guest: Larry King

The CPR of New Cardiac Services: Codes, Productivity and Reimbursement
Date: Monday, March 7
Time: 2 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Location: Room 330, Orange County Convention Center

And don’t forget to stop by ACC Central to learn how Advocacy is working for you on important issues like imaging, reimbursement and medical liability reform.