News Release
National Imaging Associates Applauds Inclusion Of Imaging Appropriateness Measures In Presidential, Congressional Budgets
AVON, Conn. - April 7, 2009 - National Imaging Associates, a
Magellan Health Services (Nasdaq: MGLN) company, today applauded
the inclusion of imaging appropriateness measures in the proposed
federal budgets of the President and
Congress.
Budget resolutions being developed by both the Senate and House contain provisions that will enable the Medicare program to ensure every senior receives access to clinically appropriate advanced imaging procedures.
The provisions build upon similar action taken by the President in his budget outline, and represent significant steps forward toward reforming, reconstructing, and enhancing the Medicare imaging benefit.
"National Imaging Associates commends Congress for taking this major step forward in reforming Medicare by including a provision in the budget that directs lawmakers to consider ensuring every Medicare beneficiary receives clinically appropriate and safe imaging procedures," said Tina Blasi, chief executive officer of National Imaging Associates.
Multiple independent studies have concluded that as many as one of every three advanced imaging procedures paid for by Medicare are clinically inappropriate, and a recent report in the New England Journal of Medicine concluded: "The continued unrestrained use of new technology, in the absence of evidence-based criteria, portends a bleak future for Medicare and our health care system."
"When used appropriately, advanced imaging provides exceptional benefits to patients, physicians, and our health care system, as a whole. The proactive steps being taken by Medicare officials, President Obama, and Congress will minimize the occurrence of inappropriate imaging that yields virtually no clinical benefit, wastes scarce health care resources and can even jeopardize patient safety. These efforts represent truly good public policy," Blasi said.
"Today in the U.S., approximately 90 million Americans already receive these protections from their health insurers. The budget provisions advanced by Congress and President Obama represent a strong step toward reforming our health care system and ensuring all patients - especially our seniors on Medicare - receive clinically appropriate, high-quality and safe advanced imaging," she added.
About National Imaging Associates: Headquartered in Avon, Conn., National Imaging Associates leads the radiology benefits management industry by delivering innovative solutions to effectively manage the cost and quality of diagnostic imaging. National Imaging Associates is a subsidiary of Magellan Health Services, Inc. (Nasdaq:MGLN), a leading specialty health care management organization.
Media Contact:
Nancy Cook, (410) 953-2408