SCCT: Call to Action

Be Part of the SCCT Grassroots Coalition

SCCT is working hard to communicate with legislators, policymakers and payers regarding the importance of preserving patient access to coronary computed tomographic angiography (coronary CT angiography). We need you to become an active participant in this process. Please click here to fill out a brief questionnaire and join the coalition.

SCCT Grassroots Action Alert — Stark Exception in Jeopardy — July 21, 2009

We need your help to build upon your tremendous grassroots efforts reignited during the SCCT's 4th Annual Scientific Meeting last week in Orlando.

During the Energy and Commerce Committee's consideration of health care reform legislation, an amendment will be offered — probably on Wednesday, July 22, to eliminate the Stark Law exception for in-office ancillary services. This would prevent advanced diagnostic imaging services (CT, MR and PET) from being offered in the office setting.

The amendment will be offered by Representative Anthony Weiner of New York.

Members of Congress serve on the powerful Energy and Commerce Committee (names and contact numbers linked below). If you reside in his or her congressional district, we urge you to call the Member's office and express opposition to this amendment, which would effectively end office-based medical imaging.

Energy and Commerce Committee Members

At this time it is only those members of the Energy and Commerce Committee who have influence over this issue.

Background / Talking Points on the Stark Law

The Physician Self Referral Law, known as the "Stark Law," provides an exception for in-office ancillary services that includes the use of advanced diagnostic imaging services. The exception protects services ancillary to the referring physician's professional services, which meet certain billing, supervision, and location requirements, including services performed by a physician in the same group practice at certain of the group's offices.
The exception recognizes that referral within a group practice promotes quality, efficiency, and advances the continuity of care offering substantial benefit to patients.
The exception allows physicians to provide access to imaging services for prevention, early detection, diagnosis and treatment.
Eliminating the in-office ancillary services exception only serves to make health care less accessible, potentially decreases the quality of care, and increases barriers to appropriate medical services.
Imaging growth is down substantially (has fallen nearly 20 percent from 2006-2007).
There is no demonstrated need for eliminating the Stark in-office ancillary services exception. All trained and competent providers, regardless of medical specialty, should be allowed to provide imaging services to Medicare beneficiaries.

Please contact Carrie Kovar at 571-271-9320 with any questions. Thank you for your continued support.