Audit: Mass. may be losing millions on MRI's

Audit: Mass. may be losing millions on MRI's

BOSTON

State Auditor Joseph DeNucci has released a report saying Massachusetts may be losing millions in Medicaid dollars covering the cost of unneeded imaging services like MRIs.

DeNucci said on Wednesday that the state lacks safeguards against possible conflicts of interest from doctors who refer patients to facilities where they have a financial interest.

DeNucci also said state reimbursement rate for imaging services hasn't been reduced to the level used by the federal government for Medicare patients.

Medicaid Director Terry Dougherty said he agrees the state needs stricter safeguards against physician self-referrals, but also said DeNucci incorrectly characterized the agency's payment policy.

In the 2009 fiscal year, MassHealth, the state's Medicaid program, paid more than $30 million for advanced imaging services.