ACR Urges Congress to Ensure Patient Access to DXA Scans
June 16, 2009
May 2010 Update: Read about changes to DXA reimbursement payments.
On June 9 and 10, the ACR and other members of the DXA Sister Society were on Capitol Hill urging members of Congress to co-sponsor the "Medicare Fracture Prevention & Osteoporosis Testing Act" (H.R 1894/S.769). This legislation would restore reimbursement for DXA scans to the 2006 level and ensure that patients at risk for osteoporosis have access to this essential procedure.
DXA reimbursements were $140 in 2006 and have since fallen to $88. With these cuts, rheumatologists and other physicians are ceasing utilization of DXAs. This forces patients to go to hospitals or not receive the necessary procedure at all. Restoring reimbursement for this procedure would improve access to care and save lives AND health care dollars.
Reps. Shelley Berkley (D-NV) and Michael Burgess, M.D. (R-TX) and Sens. Blanche Lincoln (D-AR) and Olympia Snowe (R-ME) are fighting for DXA to be included as a key preventative test in health care reform. Contact your members of Congress and encourage them to remove barriers that prevent access to this necessary procedure.
Take Action to Ensure Access to DXA by:
Making a quick phone call to ask your members of Congress to "Support H.R. 1894/S.769." Call toll-free using the AMA Grassroots Hotline at (800) 833-6354. Enter in your zip code to reach your Representative and Senators.
Writing an e-mail and making it personal. Short anecdotes allow congressional staff to put the issue in perspective. Using the ACR Legislative Action Center makes this easy!
Sending a fax. Again, make it personal. You may locate fax numbers for your member through the ACR Legislative Action Center.
For questions or more information, please contact ACR Government Affairs staff at (404) 633-3777 or .
