The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced a $10 million project to evaluate the efficacy of decision-support systems for ordering diagnostic imaging studies. This is to inform any interested parties (here in there after referred to as conveners) of an opportunity to apply to participate in the Medicare Imaging Demonstration (MID) that was authorized by the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008 (MIPPA).
The demonstration will focus on the appropriate use of CT, MRI, and nuclear medicine (including PET) exams, as well as other advanced diagnostic imaging services potentially to be defined by CMS. Based on high expenditures and utilization in the Medicare fee-for-service population, the following 11 diagnostic imaging procedures have initially been selected:
·CT abdomen, brain, lumbar spine, pelvis, sinus, and thorax exams
·MRI lumbar spine, brain, knee, and shoulder exams
·SPECT myocardial perfusion imaging exams
The goal of the MID is to collect data regarding physician compliance with appropriateness criteria selected by the Secretary of HHS under the terms of the statute in order to determine the appropriateness of advanced diagnostic imaging services furnished to Medicare beneficiaries. CMS is particularly interested in proposals from potential conveners that involve the diverse mix and variety of physician groups it is seeking. Conveners may include medical specialty societies, IT vendors, physician groups, integrated healthcare delivery systems, independent practice associations, health plans, and radiology benefits managers. Collaboration among these entities is allowed, and CMS is not precluding unspecified entities from also submitting proposals.
The deadline for proposal submission is September 21, 2010. The deadline details may be accessed by clicking here.
