Endocrine Insider
March 6, 2008

On March 5, Senator Ken Salazar (D-CO) and Senator Olympia Snowe (R-ME) introduced S. 2702, the “Medicare Fracture Prevention and Osteoporosis Testing Act,” in support of dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and vertebral fracture assessment (VFA) services. As reported in the February 22 issue of Endocrine Insider, this legislation will overturn the harmful cuts to Medicare reimbursement for DXA and VFA tests that are already being implemented. These cuts, which in total will reduce payment for DXA services from $140 in 2006 to $50 in 2010, have made it difficult for providers such as endocrinologists to continue to offer DXA and VFA scans to their patients outside of the hospital setting. Many providers are discontinuing DXA and VFA testing in their offices and imaging centers as a result.

Senators Salazar and Snowe are currently looking for additional members of the Senate to become co-sponsors of this legislation.

The Endocrine Society encourages its members to help by taking a minute to e-mail their senators by clicking on "Action Alert: DXA Legislation Introduced - Contact your Senator Now!" at the following link: http://capwiz.com/endocrine/home/. A customizable sample letter has been created to facilitate the process.

If you have additional questions, please contact Stephanie Kutler of the Society's staff at skutler@endo-society.org.