Nuclear Medicine

Nuclear medicine (also called molecular imaging) includes positron emission computed tomography (PET) and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging. Nuclear imaging is achieved by injecting small amounts of radioactive material (radiopharmaceuticals) into patients before or during their scan. These can use sugars or chemical traits to bond to specific cells. The radioactive material is taken up by cells that consume the sugars. The radiation emitted from inside the body is detected by photon detectors outside the body. Computers take the data to assemble images of the radiation emissions. Nuclear images may appear fuzzy or ghostly rather than the sharper resolution from MRI and CT.  But, it provides metabolic information at a cellular level, showing if there are defects in the function of the heart, areas of very high metabolic activity associated with cancer cells, or areas of inflammation, data not available from other modalities. These noninvasive imaging exams are used to diagnose cancer, heart disease, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, bone disorders and other disorders. 

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Imaging advocacy group hopes to counteract ‘dangerous care delays and denials’ in PET payment

The American Society of Nuclear Cardiology is pushing payers to more consistently and correctly cover medically necessary scans without prior authorization. 

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Fearing delays, American College of Radiology urges CMS not to leave PET payment decisions up to MACs

ACR is concerned such a scenario would result in delayed and highly variable coverage determinations across the U.S. 

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Experts advocate for more intensive head-and-neck cancer follow-up using FDG-PET/CT

Scientists believe this is the first series demonstrating a significant survival difference in patients monitored with an intensive follow-up strategy via 18F-fludeoxyglucose–positron emission tomography.  

Tau PET the best tool to predict rate of cognitive decline in Alzheimer’s

Given the approach’s “superior prognostic value,” experts urged for the incorporation of tau PET into routine clinical evaluation in memory care clinics. 

Beset with problems, radiology provider Akumin forms special committee to evaluate its strained capital structure

Its challenges have included a key imaging center shuttered by a hurricane, equipment delivery delays and problems filling positions. 

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RBMA, ACR, RadNet and Rayus Radiology urge CMS to fix ‘burdensome’ reporting requirement

The groups are concerned that the rule could result in billing errors, inadvertent payment denials and slow claims processing. 

Demand for imaging to swell after approval of new Alzheimer’s drug, GE HealthCare predicts

"We believe that this is a pretty profound growth opportunity across the space," CEO Peter Arduini told investors during a Q2 earnings call. 

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CMS proposes expanding coverage for PET scans related to Alzheimer’s disease

The agency is looking to lift the longstanding NCD that restricts patients to one amyloid-detecting positron emission tomography exam in their lifetime.

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