The Medical Imaging & Technology Alliance is calling on members of Congress to ensure patients have access to the latest imaging tools and other digital health technologies.
MITA outlined its thoughts on the House Committee on Energy and Commerce’s 21st Century Cures 2.0 draft legislation in a letter shared July 16. The trade association said it was “encouraged” by the continued inclusion of digital health innovation but wants to see more mechanisms in place to enhance access and adoption, particularly for artificial intelligence.
“We believe more must be done to encourage CMS to implement policies that will ensure patient access to digital health technologies, including artificial intelligence,” Patrick Hope, executive director of MITA, wrote in the letter.
This will require, Hope added, aligning CMS policies and incentives to reward early adoption and continued innovation. The trade group outlined a few requests, including that imaging tools using AI should be given payment codes distinct from existing diagnostic services, MITA argued.
Additionally, such technologies should be covered as entirely separate imaging services and be accounted for under new or existing payment systems, such as the New Technology Ambulatory Payment Classifications, direct costs for calculating practice expense relative value units, or separate payments when used as distinct services.
MITA also indicated its support for improved communication between CMS and the FDA when approving breakthrough technologies. It did, however, push for the inclusion of the Ensuring Patient Access to Critical Breakthrough Products Act to bridge the gap between regulatory approval, coding, coverage, and reimbursement.
“We commend your commitment to build on the progress made in the 21st Century Cures Act by addressing changes needed to support patient access to innovative therapies and devices,” Hope wrote July 16. “We look forward to working with you to achieve these goals.”
Read the entire letter here.
Matt joined Chicago’s TriMed team in 2018 covering all areas of health imaging after two years reporting on the hospital field. He holds a bachelor’s in English from UIC, and enjoys a good cup of coffee and an interesting documentary.