The report found that provider referrals to imaging services often increase the year after gaining ownership interest in imaging services, prompting questions about medical necessity. The report relied on Medicare Part B claims data as well as interviews with CMS and other stakeholders.
In its statement, NASS encouraged the appropriate use of imaging. “Timely and accurate diagnoses of conditions or diseases are essential to limiting unnecessary and costly treatments. The answer for achieving appropriate use of advanced diagnostic imaging may be in determining guidelines utilizing comparative effectiveness research rather than eliminating in-office diagnostic imaging.”
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