Healthcare Industry News: Cardiac PET
News Release - September 25, 2009
Positron Anticipates Cardiac PET Demand to Increase Due to Expanding Reimbursment Differential Between PET and SPECT Imaging
INDIANAPOLIS--(HSMN NewsFeed)--Positron Corporation (OTCBB:POSC ) a molecular imaging solutions company focused on Nuclear Cardiology, predicts a significant rise in demand for Cardiac PET in 2010 with a proposed cut in SPECT reimbursement of 46% and an increase in PET reimbursement of 22%, issued by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).The nuclear medicine imaging community continues to face challenges with Cardiac SPECT due to Molybdenum shortages, cuts in reimbursement and an increase in operational costs. The proposed reduction in reimbursement by CMS for 2010, whose final decision is due out in early November, includes elimination and/or bundling of additional billing codes. The pressure on SPECT has caused physicians to revaluate their current technology offering and look to new sources of imaging income though PET.
CMS, has proposed an increase in the 2010 PET reimbursement by 22% ($1,429), while maintaining Rb82 reimbursement at $250 per dose. Additionally, there are new PET myocardial perfusion agents in clinical phase III trials and more than three other Cardiovascular PET specific radiopharmaceuticals in clinical phase I & II, which will drive demand for Positron’s Attrius(TM) Cardiac PET system.
Joseph Oliverio, CTO of Positron stated, “Positron’s Attrius(TM), which is optimized for Cardiac PET imaging, is the ideal solution for today’s challenging healthcare environment. Positron’s PET scanner, with its robust software package, is optimal for high quality PET imaging. The addition of Positron’s Attrius(TM) will provide a more accurate diagnosis for patients, reduction of unnecessary downstream procedures and a very attractive economic profile for physicians. We anticipate a significant demand in 2010 and look forward to providing physicians with the industry’s only cardiac optimized PET system.”
Disclaimer: Positron Corporation cannot guarantee coverage or payment for products or procedures at any particular level. Such determinations are made based on individual patient conditions and can vary widely depending on the Insurer's policies. For more specific information please contact your Medicare Contractor or the patient's insurer.
About Positron: Positron is a molecular imaging company focused on Nuclear Cardiology. Positron utilizes its proprietary product line to provide unique solutions to the Nuclear Medicine community ranging from imaging to radiopharmaceutical distribution. Positron products include: the Attrius(TM), a PET imaging device; the Pulse(R), a SPECT imaging device; the Nuclear Pharm-Assist(R), an automated radiopharmaceutical distribution device; and the Tech-Assist(TM), a radiopharmaceutical injection shield. More information about Positron is available at www.positron.com.
Forward Looking Statements: Statements in this document contain certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These statements are based on many assumptions and estimates and are not guarantees of future performance and may involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Positron Corporation to be materially different from future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Our actual results may differ materially from the results anticipated in these forward-looking statements due to a variety of factors, including, without limitation those set forth as "Risk Factors" in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
For further information, please contact Positron Corporation at (317)576-0183.
Source: Positron Corp
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