The Medical Imaging and Technology Alliance (MITA) today expressed its disapproval of the recently released Government Accountability Office (GAO) report on the growth of imaging services, which it states “does not provide Congress with suitable recommendations to address medical imaging utilization.”

According to MITA, the GAO report failed to use the most recent data, nor did it reference medical guidelines. Furthermore, MITA contends that the report did not “look at trends in which providers and payers are adopting appropriateness and accreditation criteria to address proper utilization of imaging services," said Andrew Whitman, vice president of MITA. "As a result, the GAO report obscures how medical imaging utilization decisions are made and the benefit that imaging has to healthcare savings and patient outcomes.”

Pointing to what it says is “a more accurate and up-to-date picture of medical imaging,” MITA said recent analysis from Avalere Health shows how the growth of medical imaging services has slowed in recent years. The Avalere Health report, available on www.avalerehealth.net, looks at the most up-to-date Medicare data, MITA said. Also, it examines the adoption of appropriateness guidelines and accreditation criteria to reduce inappropriate scans.

MITA is a division of the National Electrical Manufacturers Association.