ACR Responds to MEDCAC on Peripheral Arterial Disease Care for Seniors

Reston, VA — The American College of Radiology (ACR) — as a member of a coalition of leading medical societies — provided peripheral arterial disease (PAD) treatment recommendations to the Medicare Evidence Development Coverage Advisory Committee (MEDCAC). In addition, the coalition called for continued research in how to provide the best care for U.S. seniors with lower extremity PAD. “Identifying quality health care and impacting the treatment of a disease that affects millions of Americans are critical,” said Anne C. Roberts, MD, FACR, ACR vice president and co-author of the multisociety response to the MEDCAC panel, convened by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). PAD (or hardening of the leg arteries) is a common condition affecting 8–12 million Americans over 60 that causes significant patient difficulty and may be a signal of future heart attack and stroke. The MEDCAC panel examined the scientific evidence of existing PAD interventions that aim to improve health outcomes in the Medicare population and addressed areas where evidence gaps exist. MEDCAC panel members advise CMS about the extent to which it may wish to use existing evidence as the basis for any future determinations about Medicare coverage. “The coalition believes that disparities in amputation, revascularization and access to PAD medical care should be recognized and eliminated,” said Roberts. Specifically, the medical groups note: ...
Source: American College of Radiology - Category: Radiology Source Type: news