ACR Supports Bill to Establish Minimum DXA Payment

In October, Angus Worthing, MD, FACP, FACR, represented the ACR in a briefing on Capitol Hill on the dangers of the continued decline in DXA testing. The next morning, the Senate Committee on Aging, led by Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), held a hearing on the importance of fracture prevention for the wellness of our aging population.

We hope these efforts, together with communications from our members to their elected officials, will lead to the passage of this important legislation in Congress. Take a moment now to write to your lawmakers asking for their support of this important legislation. Our seniors simply cannot wait.

References

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2. Lewiecki EM, Ortendahl JD, Vanderpuye-Orgle J, et al. Healthcare policy changes in osteoporosis can improve outcomes and reduce costs. JBMR Plus. 2019 May 13;3(9):e10192.
3. King AB, Fiorentino DM. Medicare payment cuts for osteoporosis testing reduced use despite tests’ benefit in reducing fractures.Health Aff (Millwood). 2011 Dec;30(12):2362-2370.
4. Hayes BL, Curtis JR, Laster A, et al. Osteoporosis care in the United States after declines in reimbursements for DXA. J Clin Densitom. 2010 Oct–Dec;13(4):352–360.
5. Osteoporosis to prevent fractures: Screening. U.S. Preventive Services Taskforce. 2018 Jun. https://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/Page/Document/UpdateSummaryFinal/osteoporosis-screening1.
6. Rao SS, Budhwar N, Ashfaque A. Osteoporosis in men. Am Fam Physician. 2010 Sept 1;82(5):503–508.