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Government Relations

• 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).

• NCCI Completes SNMMI's Proposed Changes to PTP Edits

  Dec 7, 2021 — CMS's National Correct Coding Initiative issued procedure-to-procedure edit corrections requested by SNMMI for several of the new and revised CPT codes, retroactive for claims with a date of service January 1, 2020, or after.

• 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.

• CMS Grants Transitional Pass-Through Payment Status for PSMA PET Imaging Agent for Prostate Cancer

  Nov 24, 2021 — On November 22, CMS granted transitional pass-through payment status for 18F-piflufolastat, increasing patient access to an innovative imaging approach for detecting the spread of prostate cancer to other parts of the body.

• SNMMI Lauds CMS Decision to Expand Coverage for Non-Oncologic PET

  Nov 11, 2021 — SNMMI lauds last week’s decision by CMS to remove exclusionary language relating to the non-oncologic use of PET, expanding access to critical care for patients.

• CMS Publishes MPFS and OPPS Final Rules Expanding Coverage for Non-Oncologic PET

  Nov 9, 2021 — Last week, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) finalized its Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) and Hospital Outpatient Prospective System (OPPS) rules.

• SNMMI Urges Congress to Avert Cuts to Physician Reimbursement

  Oct 15, 2021 — Yesterday, SNMMI and more than 200 other medical societies espoused their support for averting cuts to the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS). Reps. Bera (D-CA) and Buschon (R-IN) led this effort in the following "Dear Colleague" letter to House leadership, supported by 245 members of Congress.

• The FIND Act Gets a Senate Companion Bill

  Sep 26, 2021 — On August 4, 2021, Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) introduced the Facilitating Innovative Nuclear Diagnostics (FIND) Act of 2021 (S. 2609), legislation that would significantly expand patient access to advanced nuclear diagnostic imaging technologies.

• ACMUI Backs SNMMI's Recommendations on Extravasation Reporting

  Sep 3, 2021 — Yesterday, the ACMUI Subcommittee on Extravasations reviewed and provided further recommendations on the NRC Staff Preliminary Evaluation of Radiopharmaceutical Extravasation and Medical Event Reporting in a public meeting. In anticipation of the meeting, SNMMI provided public comment.

• California Members: Act Now to Oppose A.B 1273

  Aug 12, 2021 — Earlier this year, Assemblyman Freddie Rodriguez introduced A.B 1273, Interagency Advisory Committee on Apprenticeship: the Director of Consumer Affairs and the State Public Health Officer. Our SNMMI-TS Advocacy Committee acted quickly and submitted an opposition letter prior to the public hearing before the Senate Health Committee. This harmful piece of legislation is now up for a (Senate) floor vote, so we are calling our members to act quickly to oppose it.

• CMS Revokes Coding Barriers for 18F FDG PET Infection and Inflammation NCD Retirement

  Aug 3, 2021 — In December 2020, CMS retired the National Coverage Determination for F-18 FDG PET for infection and inflammation, effective January 1, 2021. On June 8, CMS put forth certain ICD-10 codes for osteomyelitis and fever of unknown origin in a transmittal—which they would NOT cover. Yesterday, that decision was reversed.

• SNMMI Comments on CURES 2.0 Proposal

  Jul 26, 2021 — When Reps. Upton and DeGette requested comment on their 21st Century Cures 2.0 proposal, we listened. The bill aims to continue the acceleration of the discovery, development, and delivery of 21st century cures. The coalition's letter urged Congress to use this opportunity to expand Medicare beneficiary access to diagnostic radiopharmaceuticals.

• SNMMI and Coalition Partners Applaud the Introduction of the FIND Act

  Jul 21, 2021 — On July 16, Congressmen Scott Peters (D-CA), Bobby Rush (D-IL), Neal Dunn (R-FL) and Greg Murphy (R-NC) introduced the Facilitating Innovative Nuclear Diagnostics (FIND) Act of 2021 (H.R. 4479), legislation that would significantly expand patient access to advanced nuclear diagnostic imaging technologies.

• CMS Announcements Hold Big Surprises for PET Scans

  Jul 19, 2021 — Last week brought two big announcements from CMS: a national coverage analysis notice on Alzheimer's disease treatment and the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS).

• SNMMI Submits Senate Testimony Supporting Additional NIH Funding

  Jun 24, 2021 — Yesterday, SNMMI filed its Outside Witness Testimony in support of increased funding for the National Institutes of Health. In it, the Society continues to promote at least $46.1 billion for NIH.

• Update: Humana Reverses Non-Oncologic PET/CT Non-Coverage Policy

  Jun 21, 2021 — Months ago, Humana reversed its decision to deny coverage for PET/CT imaging of gastric and esophageal oncologic indications. Now we have more good news.

• SNMMI Will Engage with CMS to Ensure Coverage of Amyloid PET Imaging

  Jun 9, 2021 — The FDA approved aducanumab on June 7, but amyloid PET scans were not mentioned as a requirement on the drug label. SNMMI will engage with CMS to ensure access and reimbursement for this important diagnostic test.

• 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.

• SNMMI & Partners Urge Congress to Support Medical Research in Infrastructure Legislation

  May 20, 2021 — With legislation under consideration to strengthen the nation’s infrastructure and bolster economic recovery, SNMMI and 228 other medical organizations have urged Congress to include investments in the infrastructure underpinning the medical research enterprise.

• NGS Agrees with SNMMI & Partners on PET/CT Reimbursement Changes

  May 18, 2021 — Earlier this week, SNMMI and our partners, ACR, ASNC, and ACC, heard good news from National Government Services medical director Stephen A. Boren, MD.

• A Partial Win: Humana Reverses PET/CT Non-Coverage Policy

  Apr 27, 2021 — Since November 2020, SNMMI has been in communications with Humana regarding its decision to deny coverage for PET/CT and SPECT/CT. Now the company has partially reversed its decision.

• Medicare Sequester Moratorium Is Officially Extended

  Apr 15, 2021 — Yesterday, President Biden signed legislation extending the moratorium on Medicare sequestration. This occurred after the House passed the Medicare Sequester Relief Act late Tuesday, which extended mandated 2% Medicare cuts to healthcare providers until the end of the year.

• Reps. Peters and Rush Urge CMS for an OPPS Regulatory Fix

  Apr 12, 2021 — Last week, Reps. Scott Peters (D-CA 52nd District) and Bobby Rush (D-IL 1st District) sent a letter to the Centers of Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) Acting Administrator Elizabeth Ritcher. The letter addressed their concerns regarding the current reimbursement methodology associated with diagnostic radiopharmaceuticals under the Medicare Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS).

• SNMMI & Partners Advocate for Additional Federal Funding for Scientific Research

  Mar 23, 2021 — Today, SNMMI and partner organizations sent a letter commending Reps. DeGette and Upton on the introduction of the the Research Investment to Spark the Economy (RISE) Act.

• SNMMI & Partners Advocate for Extension of Medicare Sequester Moratorium

  Mar 22, 2021 — Last week, SNMMI and its partners strongly urged Congress to pass H.R. 1868 to extend Medicare sequester moratorium through the end of 2021.

• MAC Update on Retirement of NCD for FDG PET Infection & Inflammation

  Mar 11, 2021 — Subsequent to the retirement by CMS of the NCD for the non-coverage of FDG PET for infection and inflammation, in the absence of a MAC Local Coverage Determination, National Coverage Determination, or CMS Manual Instruction, reasonable and necessary guidelines apply.

• SNMMI & Coalition Partners Gather to Discuss the Importance of Providing Access to Advanced Nuclear Imaging Procedures

  Mar 3, 2021 — SNMMI, with MITA and CORAR, hosted a virtual briefing with physicians, patients, and industry representatives. Discussions centered on the need to provide patient access to innovative nuclear diagnostics and the growing role of PET, SPECT, and nuclear medicine in detecting life-threatening diseases.

• 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.

• CMS Confirms HOPPS Payment Rate Error for CERIANNA™ (Fluoroestradiol F-18) Injection

  Feb 22, 2021 — SNMMI has been working with Zionexa to seek proper Medicare reimbursement for Cerianna, radiolabeled 18F-fluoroestradiol indicated for use with positron emission tomography (PET) imaging for detection of estrogen receptor–positive lesions as an adjunct to biopsy in patients with recurrent or metastatic breast cancer. As of January 2021, the HOPPS published rate for this product is incorrect.

• Detectnet™ (Copper Cu-64 Dotatate Injection) Gets a New HCPCS Level II Code

  Feb 10, 2021 — Recently, the Centers of Medicare and Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) granted Detectnet™ a HCPCS Level II Code, A9592 (copper cu-64, dotatate, diagnostic, 1 millicurie), effective April 1, 2021.

• 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.”

• President Signs 2021 Appropriations Act, Supplements Physician Reimbursement, Provides COVID-19 Relief

  Dec 27, 2020 — Today, President Trump signed the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 into law. The House (359 to 53) and Senate (91 to 7) passed the legislation by a vote of 359 to 53 on December 22. This is good news for physician reimbursement.

• SNMMI & Partners Take Action to Ensure Imaging Professionals are Included in Phase 1a of COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution

  Dec 16, 2020 — On December 1, the CDC ACIP recommended that health care personnel who provide direct patient care be the first to receive the COVID-19 vaccination when it becomes available. SNMMI has taken action with partner organizations to support the inclusion of imaging professionals in that allocation.

• SNMMI and Coalition Support Bill Waiving Budget Neutrality in New Senate Bill

  Dec 15, 2020 — Yesterday, SNMMI and a coalition consisting of 77 medical societies sent a letter to Congress in support of S. 5007, a bill to halt pending Medicare payment cuts resulting from the planned evaluation and management (E/M) code changes slated for implementation on January 1, 2021.

• Final 2021 MPFS Rule Fails to Provide Relief, SNMMI and Coalition Lobby Congress to Protect Physician Reimbursement and Access to Care

  Dec 2, 2020 — Yesterday evening, December 1, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released the calendar year 2021 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) final rule. Though SNMMI agrees with the adoption of the new evaluation and management (E/M) coding structure recommended by the American Medical Association (AMA), this will result in significant payment reductions to nuclear medicine (~8%) and radiology (~11%) services unless the government removes the budget neutrality requirements.

• SNMMI Objects to Humana’s Decision to Deny Coverage for PET/CT & SPECT/CT

  Nov 12, 2020 — On November 6, SNMMI received word regarding Humana’s recent decision [Policy Number: HCS-0506-010] to deny coverage for PET/CT (CPT codes 78429-78433) and SPECT/CT (78830, 78832) on the basis that it is “experimental/investigational” and “not identified as widely used and generally accepted for the proposed uses as reported in nationally recognized peer-reviewed medical literature.”

• SNMMI and Coalition Support Bill Waiving Budget Neutrality, Increasing Proposed Physician Reimbursement for 2021

  Nov 11, 2020 — Today, SNMMI and a coalition consisting of 73 medical societies sent a letter to Congress in support of H.R. 8702, a bill to halt pending Medicare payment cuts resulting from the planned evaluation and management (E/M) code changes slated for implementation on January 1, 2021.

• SNMMI and Partners Ask Congress to Waive Budget Neutrality for MPFS

  Oct 13, 2020 — On Friday, SNMMI and several medical societies sent a joint letter asking Congress to waive budget neutrality for the relative value unit increases in the CY 2021 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule. The CMS Proposed CY 2021 MPFS Rule increased payment rates for evaluation and management codes; however, because of budget neutrality imposed by Congress, increases would lead to huge deficits other payment rates.

• FDA-NRC Workshop: Register Now

  Oct 2, 2020 — Throughout the spring and summer, SNMMI has been working with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) on coordinating a workshop to be held on October 14, 2020.

• SNMMI Comments on 2021 MPFS Proposed Rule

  Sep 30, 2020 — On Monday, August 3, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released the calendar year 2021 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) proposed rule. Though SNMMI agrees with the adoption of the new evaluation and management (E/M) coding structure recommended by the American Medical Association (AMA), this will result in significant payment reductions to nuclear medicine (~8%) and radiology (~11%) services unless the government removes the budget neutrality requirements.

• NRC Requests Comments on Additional Rulemaking for Extravasations

  Sep 29, 2020 — On September 15th, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) requested comment from the public on whether additional rulemaking is needed to require reporting of certain nuclear medicine injection extravasations as medical events.

• NRC Considering Regulatory Relief for Training for Imaging and Localization Studies

  Sep 19, 2020 — SNMMI along with ASNC, ASTRO and ACR received a response from the NRC regarding their request for regulatory relief for training for imaging and localization studies during the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency.

• SNMMI and Partners Host Congressional Briefing on the Groundbreaking Potential of Radiopharmaceuticals in Oncology and Need for Expanded Patient Access

  Sep 17, 2020 — Yesterday, SNMMI and its coalition partners, Medical Imaging & Technology Alliance (MITA) and Council on Radionuclides and Radiopharmaceuticals, Inc. (CORAR) hosted a virtual briefing for Capitol Hill staff yesterday with leading physicians to discuss the extraordinary and growing impact of positron emission tomography (PET) and nuclear medicine in cancer treatment, as well as the importance of expanding patient access to these drugs through passage of the Medicare Diagnostic Radiopharmaceutical Payment Equity Act of 2019 (H.R. 3772).

• CMS extends the AUC Program Educational and Operations Testing Period through CY 2021

  Aug 11, 2020 — The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has provided an update regarding the Appropriate Use Criteria (AUC) Program established by The Protecting Access to Medicare Act (PAMA) of 2014.

• CMS Releases 2021 MPFS Proposed Rule

  Aug 4, 2020 — On August 3, CMS released the 2021 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule proposed rule. In this rule, CMS proposed changes to the payment provisions, introduced new coding structure for the evaluation and management codes and updated the Quality Payment Program.

• SNMMI Receives $750K Grant to Assist Nuclear Medicine Programs in Sub-Saharan Africa

  Jul 29, 2020 — The Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) has awarded SNMMI a grant for $750,000 over three years to support capacity building for nuclear medicine initiatives in sub-Saharan Africa.

• SNMMI and Coalition Partners Re-Engage Grassroots Efforts

  Jul 23, 2020 — On July 16, the Health Policy and Regulatory Affairs (HPRA) and Outreach departments co-hosted a patient advocacy webinar on how to be an effective patient advocate for H.R. 3772, the “Medicare Diagnostic Radiopharmaceutical Payment Equity Act of 2019.”

• SNMMI Hosts FDA Townhall on the Impact of COVID-19

  Jul 10, 2020 — On Wednesday, June 17th, SNMMI hosted an FDA Townhall on the Impact of COVID-19 on regulatory activities.

• SNMMI and Coalition Partners Embrace Virtual Fly-Ins

  Jun 18, 2020 — Beginning in June, SNMMI and our Appropriate Payment Coalition Partners, the Medical Imaging Technology Alliance (MITA) and the Council on Radionuclides and Radiopharmaceuticals, Inc. (CORAR) renewed their efforts to continue promoting H.R. 3772, the Medicare Diagnostic Radiopharmaceutical Payment Equity Act of 2019.

• SNMMI Requests Regulatory Relief for Training for Imaging and Localization Studies

  Jun 11, 2020 — Today, SNMMI along with ASNC, ASTRO and ACR requested regulatory relief for Training for imaging and localization studies during the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency.

• USP Announces New Implementation Date for USP General Chapter <825>

  Jun 1, 2020 — The United States Pharmacopeial Convention (USP) has updated the implementation date for General Chapter <825> Radiopharmaceuticals – Preparation, Compounding, Dispensing, and Repackaging to December 1, 2020.

• Recent HHS Updates During the COVID-19 Pandemic

  May 19, 2020 — As we wait the enactment of a fourth stimulus package, SNMMI would like to inform its membership of the recent U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) administrative updates as a result of COVID-19.

• SNMMI Advocates for Access to Diagnostic Radiopharmaceuticals through COVID-19 and Beyond

  May 15, 2020 — This week SNMMI and its coalition partners sent a letter imploring Congress to take immediate action to ensure patient access to FDA-approved diagnostic radiopharmaceutical drugs that aid in the detection of cancer, cardiovascular conditions and neurological disorders.

• SNMMI Advocates for Frontline Healthcare Workers

  May 8, 2020 — SNMMI joined various other medical professional societies in advocating for all frontline members of the healthcare delivery system during the COVID-19 pandemic

• Public Meeting to Discuss 10 CFR Part 37 Regulatory Relief Pathways for NRC Licensees

  May 1, 2020 — On Tuesday, May 5, at 1:00 p.m. EDT, the NRC will be holding a public meeting to discuss potential regulatory relief pathways for NRC 10 CFR Part 37 licensees during the COVID-19 public health emergency.

• CARES ACT 2.0: HHS Gets Another Infusion of $100 Billion

  Apr 24, 2020 — $75 billion is allocated for reimbursement to hospitals and healthcare providers to support the need for COVID-19 related expenses and lost revenue. The language remains the same as CARES Act. $25 billion is designated for necessary expenses to research, develop, validate, manufacture, purchase, administer, and expand capacity for COVID-19 tests.

• SNMMI Receives Good News from KLM regarding Radioisotope Supply

  Apr 20, 2020 — Based on humanitarian needs and medical urgency, KLM has agreed to resume the transport of medical isotopes from Europe to the United States beginning April 27th.

• Congressman Greg Murphy, MD, Signs On to the Medicare Diagnostic Radiopharmaceutical Payment Equity Act

  Apr 16, 2020 — Last week, SNMMI had the chance to sit down and talk with Congressman Greg Murphy, MD, a urologist representing North Carolina’s 3rd Congressional district. Congressman Murphy is the first physician to sign on to HR 3772, the Medicare Diagnostic Radiopharmaceutical Payment Equity Act.

• The NMEu Meets to Discuss COVID-19 and the Global Supply of Mo-99

  Apr 8, 2020 — On Monday, April 6th the Nuclear Medicine Europe (NMEu’s) Security of Supply Working Group (SoS WG) Emergency Response Team (ERT) held a teleconference to discuss the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Mo-99 and other radioisotope production.

• SNMMI Encourages Legislators To Ensure Accessibility to PPE

  Mar 26, 2020 — On Thursday, March 26, the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging joined the American College of Radiology, the American Society of Radiologic Technologists, the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists, the Nuclear Medicine Technologist Certification Board and the Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography in calling for an adequate supply of personal protective equipment (PPE).

• Mo-99 Supply Update

  Mar 16, 2020 — On Monday, March 16, SNMMI President Vasken Dilsizian, MD, released the following statement addressing how the COVID-19 pandemic may affect the supply of Mo-99.

• NCCI Agrees with SNMMI's Proposed Changes to Edits PTP Errors

  Mar 5, 2020 — Due to SNMMI's diligence, CMS' National Correct Coding Initiative (NCCI) confirmed that its proposed Procedure to Procedure (PTP) edits for several of the new and revised CPT codes (effective January 1, 2020) will be corrected.

• NCCI Agrees with SNMMI's Proposed Changes to PTP Edits

  Mar 5, 2020 — Due to SNMMI's diligence, CMS' National Correct Coding Initiative (NCCI) confirmed that its proposed Procedure to Procedure (PTP) edits for several of the new and revised CPT codes (effective January 1, 2020) will be corrected.

• SNMMI Hosts FDA Workshop

  Feb 18, 2020 — On Friday, February 21, SNMMI and the FDA will be hosting a workshop entitled "PET Drugs: A Workshop on Inspections Management and Regulatory Issues."

• SNMMI Hosts Successful Capitol Hill Day, Winning New Congressional Interest

  Oct 24, 2019 — On Tuesday, October 22, SNMMI hosted a Capitol Hill Day. Members from all across the country came to Washington, D.C., to advocate for nuclear medicine and molecular imaging.

• Nuclear Medicine Technologist Licensure Legislation Introduced in Pennsylvania

  Sep 19, 2019 — On September 6, 2019 House Bill 1811 was introduced in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.

• WATCH: SNMMI Hosts Webinar on New 2020 SPECT, SPECT-CT, Cardiac PET, and Cardiac PET-CT Codes

  Sep 11, 2019 — Members can watch a brief summary, as well as the complete webinar here.

• WATCH: SNMMI Members Talk Nuclear Medicine at Congressional Policy Briefing on Capitol Hill

  Jul 24, 2019 — On July 17, SNMMI, with MITA and CORAR, co-hosted a congressional policy briefing to discuss precision medicine and the importance of diagnostic radiopharmaceuticals.

• Bipartisan Group Moves to Expand Access to Diagnostic Radiopharmaceuticals

  Jul 17, 2019 — On July 16, a bipartisan group introduced the Medicare Diagnostic Radiopharmaceutical Payment Equity Act of 2019 (HR 3772). The bill would expand patient access to highly targeted, precision diagnostic radiopharmaceuticals that evaluate conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and some cancers—allowing patients to get the right treatment faster and saving taxpayers money.

• 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.