Imaging Services

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The American Academy of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery recognizes the importance of quality standards and accreditation for medical imaging and knows that Academy members look to the foundation to provide leadership on this issue. In response to these developments, the Academy has established the Imaging Committee. This committee, chaired by R. Christopher Miyamoto, MD, is charged with providing additional resources and training for continuing medical education in this area and with monitoring continuing legislative and reimbursement developments. Below are recent advocacy efforts related to reimbursement and coverage of CT imaging services.

Contact Health Policy with any questions regarding payment issues related to CT imaging.
Contact Education with any questions regarding medical education related to CT imaging and the accreditation process.

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Academy Advocacy Efforts

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Academy Comments on Proposed 2017 Physician Fee Schedule (9/6/16)
On September 6, the Academy submitted comments to CMS regarding the 2017 Proposed Medicare Physician Fee Schedule. Topics addressed include: practice expense adjustments; proposed global surgical data collection requirements; Appropriate Use Criteria for Advanced Diagnostic Imaging requirements, modifications to the Qualified Clinical Data Registry (QCDR) qualification requirements, and updates to the Value Based Modifier and Physician Feedback Programs.

Academy Comments on Proposed CY 2017 HOPPS (9/6/16)
On September 6, the Academy has submitted comments on the proposed rule for CY 2017 Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System (HOPPS) and Ambulatory Surgical Center (ASC) Payment Rate. The Academy addressed: point-of-care imaging access for patients, Appropriate Use Criteria for Advanced Diagnostic Imaging requirements, and changes to Ambulatory Payment Classifications assignments.

Read the comments.

Academy Collaborates with Anthem to Revise SPECT/CT Policy (9/1/16)
Following discussion with AAO-HNS leaders, Anthem accepted the Academy's request to consider the use of SPECT/CT fusion imaging as medically necessary in the evaluation of parathyroid glands in individuals with hyperparathyroidism when used for anatomic localization prior to parathyroid surgery. View Anthem's most recent updates to the language and medical literature referenced in the policy.

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Appropriateness Criteria

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American College of Radiology (ACR) developing Appropriateness Criteria for Penetrating Neck Trauma (5/13/16)
The Academy has nominated Col. Joseph A. Brennan, MD, to serve on the expert panel. The ACR Appropriateness Criteria® are evidence-based guidelines created to assist referring physicians and other providers looking to make the most appropriate imaging or treatment decision for a specific clinical condition. These guidelines help providers enhance quality of care and contribute to the most efficacious use of radiology. Learn more.

American College of Radiology (ACR) developing Appropriateness Criteria for Tinnitus (2/12/16)
The Academy has nominated Hung Jeff Kim, MD, to serve on the expert panel. The ACR Appropriateness Criteria® are evidence-based guidelines created to assist referring physicians and other providers looking to make the most appropriate imaging or treatment decision for a specific clinical condition. These guidelines help providers enhance quality of care and contribute to the most efficacious use of radiology. Learn more.

Academy Attends Appropriateness Use Criteria (AUC) Meeting (2/4/2015)
This month HP staff attended a specialty briefing sponsored by the AMA on the Appropriateness Use Criteria (AUC) program mandated in the Protecting Access to Medicare Act (PAMA) of 2014. Specialty society representatives discussed AUC and the potential expansion of preauthorization requirements in Medicare which could impact otolaryngology. To read an expanded summary of the meeting, click here.

Academy Representation on the American College of Radiology Appropriateness Criteria® (AC) Expert Panels on Neurologic Imaging(5/30/14)
The ACR Committee on Diagnostic/Interventional Appropriateness Criteria invited AAO-HNS to select a new representative on the American College of Radiology Appropriateness Criteria® (AC) Expert Panels on Neurologic Imaging. To note, AC are evidence-based guidance used by providers in making the most appropriate imaging or treatment decision for a specified medical condition. The ACR feels the expertise of AAO-HNS members contributes to producing stronger, more relevant recommendations. The AAO-HNS greatly appreciates the opportunity to participate in the process of reviewing and updating relevant AC to otolaryngologists.

As of June 2014, David Conley, MD will replace Brian Nussenbaum, MD as an AAO-HNS representative to the ACR AC Expert Panel on Neurologic Imaging. We greatly appreciate all the time and effort that Dr. Nussenbaum has given over the past several years in this role. Dr. Conley will work with the panel to develop and update topics for select neurological conditions.

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Value of CT Accreditation

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Academy Representation on the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission (IAC) CT Division (IAC-CT) (5/30/14)
As a follow-up to the Academy’s submission of several nominees for the open seat on the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission (IAC) CT Division (IAC-CT), Rakesh Chandra, MD, Academy member from Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, and Imaging Committee member, has been elected to the IAC CT board of directors. The CT board was impressed by Dr. Chandra’s level of expertise and knowledge and looks forward to working together to help further the mission and importance of IAC accreditation.

External Link:

Joint Statement on Point-of-Care Imaging

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