SNMMI
Today radiopharmaceuticals are classified as supplies. This means hospitals are at a great disadvantage when using nuclear medicine procedures. Supplies are bundled with the technical component and subsequently they are not reimbursed. I know this sounds illogical but, from the standpoint of CMS it’s going to take a lot to get them to change this, even if they should. CMS sets the budget annually and this in turn becomes part of the national budget. Once set in stone by the President’s signature changing means taking money away from another program if the change is to happen during the current budget year. Not an easy thing. We applaud SNMMI and others for starting down the trail to change but, don’t expect much to change very soon.
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