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Government Relations

• SNMMI Submits Comments to CMS on Physician Fee Schedule and Hospital Outpatient Payments

  Sep 20, 2023 — Last week SNMMI and ACNM submitted comments to CMS on its proposed rules for the 2024 Physician Fee Schedule and Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System.

• SNMMI Submits Comments to NRC on Patient Release, Injection Extravasations

  Sep 7, 2023 — SNMMI has submitted comments to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) on several important issues: its draft regulatory guide on release of patients and its rulemaking on reporting of nuclear medicine injection extravasations as medical events.

• Dear Colleague Letter to House Leadership on Medicare Payment Reform Garners Support from More than 100 Members of Congress

  Aug 7, 2023 — Representatives Ami Bera, MD (D-CA), and Larry Bucshon, MD (R-IN), lead letter to Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) and Majority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) regarding Medicare payment reform.

• CMS releases 2024 MPFS and Hospital OPPS Rules

  Jul 26, 2023 — On July 13, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released the 2024 MPFS and Hospital OPPS proposed rules. Below is a preliminary analysis. The proposed rules are scheduled to be published in the federal register on August 7; however, we've included a CMS fact sheet for your reference.

• FDA Fully Approves Leqembi for Alzheimer’s; CMS Unclear on PET Reimbursement

  Jul 10, 2023 — The FDA has granted full approval to Leqembi (lecanemab); however, CMS has not committed to reimbursement of the needed PET scans.

• House Energy and Commerce Committee holds a MACRA/MIPS Reform Hearing

  Jul 5, 2023 — Recent Energy and Commerce Committee, O & I Subcommittee focuses on areas of reform to the MACRA/MIPS program.

• Advocacy Newsletter

  Jun 20, 2023 — Legislative and Policy Highlights

• SNMMI & ACR sent a joint letter to CMS regarding MUE value changes and NCCI program edits

  Jun 6, 2023 — SNMMI and ACR recently sent a joint letter to CMS regarding edits to SPECT and SPECT/CT nuclear medicine coding

• SNMMI Opposes Proposed LCD to Restrict Care for Patients

  May 26, 2023 — SNMMI submitted comments to CMS urging the withdrawal of the proposed Local Coverage Determination, Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Scan for Inflammation and Infection (DL39521)

• SNMMI joins NIH Funding Support Letter

  Mar 17, 2023 — SNMMI joins with more than 370 member organizations represented by the ADHOC Group for Medical Research urging lawmakers to invest in the NIH, the newly established Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) program, as well as other agencies dedicated to advancing innovative treatments and therapies.

• President Biden Releases FY 2024 Budget Proposal

  Mar 15, 2023 — On March 9, President Biden released his FY 2024 budget proposal, which included $144.3 billion in discretionary funding and $1.7 trillion in mandatory spending.

• Advocacy Newsletter: Legislative and Policy Highlights

  Mar 13, 2023 — What to expect in 2023? Congressional Leadership and Committee Assignments; Cathy S. Cutler, PhD, presented at the recent CMS MEDCAC Meeting; Congressional Appropriations- DOD Funding; 2023 Robert E. Henkin Government Relations Fellowship.

• SNMMI Applauds Introduction of FIND Act of 2023: Legislation Will Ensure Patient Access to Innovative and Effective Diagnostic Imaging

  Mar 6, 2023 — SNMMI, along with more than 80 stakeholder organizations, supports and applauds the introduction of H.R. 1199, the Facilitating Innovative Nuclear Diagnostic (FIND) Act of 2023. The legislation will ensure patient access to innovative and effective diagnostic imaging.

• FIND Act Update

  Jan 5, 2023 — Plans are underway to reintroduce the FIND Act in the 118th Congress with a firm foundation of support.

• CMS announces 2023 MEDCAC meeting

  Dec 30, 2022 — The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) will hold a public meeting with the Medicare Evidence Development and Coverage Advisory Committee (MEDCAC) on February 13-14, 2023 at 10:00am-3:00pm EST.

• Congress passes 2023 Consolidated Appropriations Act

  Dec 29, 2022 — On December 23, 2022, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 2617, the 2023 Consolidated Appropriations Act (also referred to as the Omnibus package) by a vote of 225-201-1.

• CMS Publishes 2023 MPFS and Hospital OPPS Final Rule

  Nov 22, 2022 — On November 1, CMS released the 2023 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule and Hospital Outpatient Prospective payment Final Rules.

• Mo-99/Tc-99m shortage expected to impact provider care and limit patient access

  Oct 31, 2022 — Nuclear Medicine Europe has reported a shortage of Molybdenum-99 (Mo-99)/Technetium-99m (T-99m).

• The U.S. Departments of Health and Human Services (HHS), Labor, and the Treasury released final rules titled “Requirements Related to Surprise Billing: Final Rules.”

  Sep 13, 2022 — The U.S. Departments of Health and Human Services (HHS), Labor, and the Treasury released final rules titled “Requirements Related to Surprise Billing: Final Rules.” Read more for highlights of the updated rules.

• The DOE Isotope Program Announces its Annual Medical Isotope User Group Meetings

  Aug 14, 2022 — In 2022, the Department of Energy (DOE) Isotope Program will host four virtual medical isotope user group meetings focused on the following emerging alpha and beta emitters: actinium-225, astatine-211, lead-212, and new this year, cerium-134.

• CMS releases its CY 2023 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Proposed Rule

  Jul 14, 2022 — The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released its 2023 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) Proposed Rule on July 7.

• Aetna Reverses Cardiac PET/CT Non-Coverage & Updates Policy for PSMA Therapy

  Jun 27, 2022 — SNMMI and ASNC requested that Aetna reverse its non-coverage cardiac PET/CT policy. We are thrilled to communicate that within a few days of receiving our letter, Aetna reversed the policy. Also, Aetna recently updated and published their coverage policy for PSMA imaging for PLUVICTO therapy eligibility.

• CMS Reopens NCD for Beta Amyloid PET in Dementia and Neurodegenerative Disease

  Jun 24, 2022 — On June 16, 2022, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) began a reconsideration process for its National Coverage Determination (NCD) for Beta Amyloid Positron Emission Tomography (PET) in Dementia and Neurodegenerative Disease

• SNMMI & Partners Urge Congress to Support Increased Federal Research Funding

  May 16, 2022 — SNMMI and 368 members of the Ad Hoc Group for Medical Research sent a letter to Congress requesting that the Labor-HHS Subcommittee be allocated sufficient funding to allow for investment in NIH and other agencies that promote the health of our nation. The letter also urged Congress to work expeditiously to complete FY 2023 appropriations in a timely manner.

• SNMMI and Partners Request a Hearing for the FIND Act

  Apr 28, 2022 — This week, SNMMI and over 70 organizations sent a letter to House Energy and Commerce and Ways and Means Committee Leadership requesting a hearing on the Facilitating Innovative Nuclear Diagnostics (FIND) Act.

• SNMMI Hosts AI and Patient Access Summits

  Mar 28, 2022 — On March 21-23, SNMMI hosted two summits in Bethesda, MD, on Artificial Intelligence and Barriers to Patient Access. The aim of the summits—the first of their kind for the society—was to bring together thought leaders to discuss current obstacles in the field of nuclear medicine and provide solutions. Read the highlights.

• New Issue of Clinical Trials Newsletter "Pathways" Now Available

  Mar 11, 2022 — The February 2022 issue of the SNMMI Clinical Trials Network newsletter, Pathways, is now available online.

• SNMMI Supports ARPA-H Act

  Mar 4, 2022 — SNMMI signed on as a supporting organization to the Advanced Research Project Agency Health (ARPA-H) Act and offered to be a resource as the bill's sponsor continues to refine the legislative text.

• SNMMI Congratulates FDA Commissioner Califf

  Feb 18, 2022 — SNMMI congratulates Robert Califf, MD, on his confirmation as the 25th Commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

• SNMMI Advocates for Expanded Coverage & Reimbursement of Amyloid PET

  Feb 17, 2022 — When CMS issued a national coverage determination analysis for Monoclonal Antibodies Directed Against Amyloid for the Treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease, SNMMI took action.

• NRC Votes to Establish Requirements for Rubidium-82 Generators and Emerging Medical Technologies

  Feb 7, 2022 — Along with voting on training and experience requirements for authorized users, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) approved of initiating rulemaking to modernize 10 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 35.

• NRC Votes on Training and Experience Requirements

  Feb 4, 2022 — The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) recently voted on training and experience requirements (T&E) for Authorized Users (AUs), disapproving of their staff’s recommendations. SNMMI strongly supports this long-awaited decision.

• SNMMI Reacts to CMS Coverage Decision on New Alzheimer’s Therapy

  Jan 12, 2022 — On January 11, CMS announced that it proposes to cover FDA-approved monoclonal antibodies directed against amyloid for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease under CED in CMS-approved randomized controlled trials. SNMMI reacts.

• SNMMI Supports Intent of No Surprises Act, Issues Further Recommendations

  Dec 23, 2021 — SNMMI strongly supports the goals of the No Surprises Act—including protecting patients from surprise medical bills, improving the availability of affordable, high-quality, in-network care, and developing a fair and impartial process for resolving provider-insurer payment disputes—and recommends that the government make specific clarifications to the interim final rules.

• FDA Approves New PSMA Kit, Increasing Access to Ga-68 Prostate Cancer Imaging

  Dec 21, 2021 — On December 20, the FDA approved a new kit for preparation of gallium-68 PSMA-11 injection for PET imaging of PSMA-positive lesions in men with prostate cancer, making Ga-68 PSMA-11 PET imaging more widely available in the U.S.

• A Call to Action to Ensure Federal Funding for Scientific Research

  Dec 14, 2021 — SNMMI and the Academy of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging Research have partnered to urge Congress to pass an FY22 appropriations package that supports the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and biomedical imaging, while stopping the use of harmful continuing resolutions (CRs).

• Senate Passes Protecting Medicare and American Farmers from Sequester Cuts Act

  Dec 10, 2021 — Last night, SNMMI and more than 300 medical societies rejoiced when the Senate passed the Protecting Medicare and American Farmers from Sequester Cuts Act (S. 610).

• With a New Bill, SNMMI Urges Congress to Avert Cuts to Physician Reimbursement

  Dec 1, 2021 — Once again, SNMMI and more than 300 medical societies voiced their support for averting the looming cuts to the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS). Following the release of the Calendar Year 2022 MPFS Rule that indicated the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) will allow this payment adjustment to expire at the end of 2021, Reps. Bera, MD and Bucshon, MD introduced H.R. 6020. Their bipartisan legislation would extend the 3.75% update to the conversion factor for an additional year.

• SNMMI Authors Member Template Letter for SPECT/CT Coverage Denials

  Jun 3, 2021 — After many complaints from our members about SPECT/CT coverage denials from various commercial payers, SNMMI has put forth a resource members can use to contest these decisions.

• CMS Retires National Non-Coverage Policy for FDG PET Infection and Inflammation

  Mar 1, 2021 — Since 2008, CMS has not covered PET for imaging of infection and inflammation. Now that has changed.

• NRC Unveils Patient Educational Video on Radioactive Drug Therapy

  Jan 26, 2021 — Last week, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) announced the release of the video, “Staying Safe While Getting Better, Protecting Yourself and Your Loved Ones While Taking Radioactive Drugs.”

• Courtney Lawhn-Heath Awarded 2019 Henkin Fellowship

  Apr 23, 2019 — SNMMI is pleased to announce that Courtney Lawhn-Heath, MD, has been selected as the recipient of the 2019 Robert E. Henkin Government Relations Fellowship.

• Aria Razmaria, MD, Awarded 2018 Henkin Fellowship

  Apr 11, 2018 — SNMMI and the Education and Research Foundation for Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging are pleased to announce that Aria Razmaria, MD, has been selected as the recipient of the 2018 Robert E. Henkin Government Relations Fellowship.

• SNMMI Comments on NRC Patient Release Program

  Jun 10, 2017 — SNMMI submitted comments to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) on its patient release programs.

• USP Plans to Establish New Chapter for Radiopharmaceuticals and Calls for Candidates on Expert Panel

  Jun 2, 2017 — The USP plans to establish a new General Chapter <825> Compounding-Radiopharmaceuticals.

• 2017 Robert E. Henkin Government Relations Fellowship

  May 31, 2017 — The fellows spent a week in Washington, DC, and gained firsthand knowledge of Capitol Hill and inside federal agencies.

• NRC Advisory Committee on Medical Uses of Isotopes Spring Meeting Summary

  May 25, 2017 — The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) held their spring meeting of the Advisory Committee on Medical Uses of Isotopes (ACMUI) on April 26 and 27.

• NRC Seeks Comments on Patient Release Program

  Apr 20, 2017 — The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is requesting comments from the general public on its patient release programs.

• SNMMI Submits Comments to FDA on Compounding

  Mar 1, 2017 — SNMMI submitted comments to the FDA on radiopharmaceutical compounding.

• Fast Fact #1: The Joint Commission (TJC)

  Feb 23, 2017 — Did you know that The Joint Commission now requires a technologist to hold the credential of RT(R), RT(N) and/or CNMT in order to perform diagnostic computed tomography procedures?

• USP to Post Second Round of Public Comments for General Chapter <797>

  Feb 16, 2017 — The general chapter <797> on pharmaceutical compounding—sterile preparations will be posted for second round of public comments.

• Ashley Mishoe and Daniel Yokell Chosen as Recipients of the 2017 Henkin Fellowship

  Feb 6, 2017 — SNMMI and the Education and Research Foundation for Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging are pleased to announce that Ashley Mishoe, B.S., Pharm.D., and Daniel L Yokell, Pharm.D., are the recipients of the 2017 Robert E. Henkin Government Relations Fellowship.

• SNMMI Submits Comments to NRC on Training and Experience Requirements

  Jan 25, 2017 — The society submitted comments to NRC on training and experience requirements in CFR 10 Part 35.

• FDA Issues Draft Guidances on Compounding and Repackaging Radiopharmaceuticals

  Jan 11, 2017 — The FDA issued two draft guidances that describe FDA’s proposed policies regarding the compounding and repackaging of radiopharmaceuticals for human use by state-licensed nuclear pharmacies or federal facilities, and outsourcing facilities.

• VA scales back proposal on nurses reading imaging studies

  Dec 14, 2016 — The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has scaled back a proposal that would have granted expanded duties to advanced-level nurses within the VA system by removing language that could have allowed nurses to perform and interpret medical imaging studies. SNMMI, as well as other organizations in the imaging community, submitted comments to the VA expressing concern about this potential expansion of nurses’ duties into areas for which they do not have the requisite training.

• SNMMI Develops USP Recommendations for Compounded Sterile Radiopharmaceuticals

  Dec 14, 2016 — SNMMI has developed USP Recommendations for Compounded Sterile Radiopharmaceuticals.

• House Passes 21st Century Cures Bicameral Compromise

  Dec 1, 2016 — On Wednesday, November 30, the House passed the 21st Century Cures legislation 392-26, sending the sweeping FDA and CMS reform package to the Senate.

• A Look at the New Administration’s Healthcare Nominees

  Nov 29, 2016 — President-elect Donald Trump’s healthcare nominees are in keeping with his promise to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA), as well as to work with Republicans to overhaul Medicare and Medicaid significantly. Trump has selected Republican Representative Tom Price, an orthopedic surgeon from Georgia, to lead the Department of Health and Human Services and Seema Verma—president, CEO and founder of SVC, Inc., a national health policy consulting company—to serve as CMS administrator.

• Updated NMT Scope of Practice and Performance Standards

  Nov 9, 2016 — Minimal changes were made to the NMT Scope of Practice and Performance Standards approved in September 2016.

• CMS Releases CY 2017 HOPPS & MPFS Final Rules - Effective January 1, 2017

  Nov 3, 2016 — CMS released the CY 2017 Final Rules for the Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System (HOPPS) and the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule.

• Updated NMT Scope of Practice and Performance Standards

  — Minimal changes were made to the NMT Scope of Practice and Performance Standards approved in June 2017.