Welcome to Health Policy Central on the ASNC Web site. Please click on one of the topic areas below to access "Health Policy Memos" on key policy areas. For more information about these issues, please contact Emily Gardner, Director of Health Policy, at (301) 215-7575, ext. 207 or egardner@asnc.org.

What's New

CMS Announces No National Coverage Determination for CTA
March 13, 2008

CareCore National Minimum Equipment Standards
January 24, 2008
CareCore National has agreed to accept either single head or dual headed gamma cameras for cardiac imaging.

ASNC Responds to CCTA Decision
January 24, 2008
ASNC and five other specialty societies submitted comments to CMS in response to the proposed national coverage decision (NCD) for coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA).

UnitedHealthCare Extends Deadline for Mandatory Accreditation Requirement
January 18, 2008
On January 14, 2008, UnitedHealthCare (UHC) announced that it is extending the deadline to apply for imaging accreditation to the third quarter (July - September) of 2008.

NRC Issues Information Notice 2007-38
January 14, 2008
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) issued Information Notice 2007-38, Ensuring Complete and Accurate Information in the Documentation of Training and Experience for Individuals Seeking Approval as Medical Authorized Users, to "inform addressees of the importance of verifying the completeness and accuracy of information provided by individuals seeking authorization for medical use from the NC under the alternate pathway."

Important Reminder for 2008 Hospital Billing: Do Not Forget to Code Add-On Services and Radiopharmaceuticals!
January 11, 2008
As previously reported by ASNC, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) finalized bundling payments for seven categories with the APC payment in the 2008 final Hospital Outpatient Perspective Payment System (HOPPS) rule. All diagnostic radiopharmaceuticals, contrast agents, and many imaging add-on codes are now bundled with the cost of the major procedure CPT codes.

Practice Tips & Health Policy Memos

Practice Tips
Quick and easy tips on billing, coding, and other practice management issues.

Access to Imaging Services
ASNC activities aimed at preserving patient access to quality diagnostic medical imaging.

Coverage Policy for Computed Tomography (CT)
Learn more about national and local efforts concerning cardiovascular CT.

NRC/Authorized User
Issues of importance to nuclear cardiology that are under the purview of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

Reimbursement
Critical payment and practice management issues facing nuclear cardiology