Faced with lower prices for scanners and MRIs, radiologists are asking the CNAM to suspend its decisions which would endanger the very existence of the practices.
February 12 was published in Official newspaper (JO) the new price list for medical imaging. Applicable since Monday, it increases the technical package for a scanner from € 99 to € 94, that for an MRI performed in Paris from € 186 to € 172. And each time, the associated consultation also drops by 6%, detailed in the press Jean-Philippe Masson, president of the National Federation of Radiological Doctors (FNMR), which brings together 4,000 of the 5,000 liberal radiologists.
Faced with what it describes as “sabotage of French medical imagery”, this union has issued an ultimatum to Nicolas Revel, head of Health Insurance (UNCAM). The FNMR does not mince words. It simply asks the Health Insurance to suspend its decisions because “they endanger the very existence of radiology practices by removing their capacity for amortization and investment”.
“Mr. Revel must not forget that his latest decisions are in addition to those taken each year for the past 9 years,” she adds. According to the Federation, these can only amplify the closure of local radiology practices essential for treating physicians.
Deadlines already very far from the objectives
These radiologists fear, moreover, the increase in appointment times for a CT examination and especially an MRI. As such, they point out that these deadlines are today 30 days on average. They are therefore already very far from the 20-day target set by cancer plan III.
For its part, the CNAM justifies its measures by the increase in the activity of medical imaging. The FNMR does not deny it and that it corresponds “to the needs of the population, its aging and the expansion of imaging indications” and a requirement for quality of diagnosis.
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