Just days after The Post reported that New York mammography facilities are cash-strapped and slashing services, a prominent Manhattan radiology center says it is closing its doors.
East River Imaging Associates, which performs mammograms on more than 15,000 women annually, will not be offering the screening service after July.
“It’s a heartbreaking situation for us, but we were losing money on our mammography service,” said Dr. Richard Katz, head of the facility. “We could no longer provide the type of care our patients deserve.”
Mammograms account for about 25 percent of the center’s patient visits.
“The average insurance reimbursement rate is $88, while it costs typically about $100 to perform a mammogram,” Katz said.
As The Post reported Sunday, medical experts agree that the lack of adequate reimbursement from insurers is the chief reason for the crisis.
“I’ve been hearing a lot of talk from private radiology centers saying they want to stop offering mammography screenings because they are losing money on them,” said Dr. Stephen Feig, professor of radiology at the Mt. Sinai School of Medicine.
“Even hospitals – which feel pressure to provide mammograms – are trying to save money. They are not expanding their facilities at a time when these services are needed more than ever.”
Last week, Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) announced plans to introduce a bill that would increase Medicare reimbursement. The rate is currently $67 for a screening mammogram and $81 for a diagnostic exam.
Representatives for both New York Sens. Charles Schumer and Hillary Rodham Clinton said they would likely support the measure.
If passed, Harkin’s bill would likely pressure insurance companies to hike their reimbursement rates too.
“Hopefully, this will get the ball rolling and Congress will wake up to realize they need to address this very important topic,” said Dr. Gillian Newstead, director of New York University’s Breast Imaging Center.