CMS Reimbursment Fee Schedule Changes State a 20% Increase in Cardiac PET and a 36% Decrease in SPECT
INDIANAPOLIS, Nov 09, 2009 (BUSINESS WIRE) --
Company: Positron Corp. (POSC)
Positron Corporation (OTCBB:POSC) a molecular imaging solutions company focused on Nuclear Cardiology, predicts an industry wide demand for cardiac PET imaging, as a result of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) 2010 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule.
The Medicare Physician Fee Schedule outlines the payment rates for medical services paid to private physicians in the outpatient office setting. This fee schedule states that Myocardial PET perfusion imaging was increased 20% to $1,432.87 per study. The Schedule also states that Cardiovascular SPECT reimbursement for outpatient cardiology practices billing under CPT codes has been reduced by 36%. Ejection fraction and wall motion codes will now be bundled into a new global code.
Patrick Rooney, Chief Executive Officer of Positron stated, "The change in reimbursement just released by CMS is one of the most significant events for the utilization of cardiac PET in many years. The reimbursement increase for PET imaging further validates our position that the future of nuclear cardiology is PET. One of the most important factors within the CMS ruling is that now the differential between PET and SPECT studies is greater than $1,000. This delta is substantial and confirms that the Government recognizes the benefits of cardiac PET as the best modality in the long term management of patient care and that their policies will accelerate the migration from the current standard of care in SPECT to the more efficient, better technology of cardiac PET."
Source: On October 30, 2009 Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released their final rule for the 2010 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule.
About Positron: Positron is a molecular imaging company focused on Nuclear Cardiology. Positron utilizes its proprietary product line to provide unique solutions to the Nuclear Medicine community ranging from imaging to radiopharmaceutical distribution. Positron products include: the Attrius(TM), a PET imaging device; the Pulse(R), a SPECT imaging device; the Nuclear Pharm-Assist(R), an automated radiopharmaceutical distribution device; and the Tech-Assist(TM), a radiopharmaceutical injection shield. More information about Positron is available at www.positron.com.
Forward Looking Statements: Statements in this document contain certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These statements are based on many assumptions and estimates and are not guarantees of future performance and may involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Positron Corporation to be materially different from future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Our actual results may differ materially from the results anticipated in these forward-looking statements due to a variety of factors, including, without limitation those set forth as "Risk Factors" in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
For further information, please contact Positron Corporation at (317)576-0183.
SOURCE: Positron Corporation
Positron Corporation Patrick Rooney, (317)576-0183
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Company: Positron Corp. (POSC)
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