DUBLIN, Ohio - Jan. 09, 2012 - Cardinal Health today announced an initiative to help customers better understand and participate in recently a signed federal policy that encourages the use of radioactive imaging agents that are produced with low enriched uranium (LEU).

When injected into the body, radioactive imaging agents are visible using sophisticated imaging scanners. They can help doctors diagnose critical, life-threatening diseases like cancer, heart disease and neurological disorders, in their earliest stages. They can also help doctors track the effectiveness of patient treatment plans.

The majority of radioactive imaging agents currently used in the United States are produced using Highly Enriched (or weapons-grade) Uranium (HEU). As part of a multi-nation effort to reduce the use of weapons-grade material, the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS) recently introduced a new policy to encourage hospitals to transition to the use of imaging agents produced with LEU.

Cardinal Health - which operates the nation's largest network of radiopharmacies and can deliver imaging agents to more than 90 percent of all U.S. hospitals within three hours' time - is helping  nuclear medicine departments better understand how this new program will impact their operations and change the way they will be reimbursed for imaging procedures.

Until 2015 when a full conversion to LEU is expected to occur, Cardinal Health is working closely with customers to help them:

  • Understand the full reimbursement impact of using LEU doses;
  • Understand eligibility requirements.The new CMS policy applies to Medicare hospital outpatients only; not to inpatients, Medicaid patients or to patients who receive imaging services at free-standing imaging centers or clinics. 
  • Change the way they schedule patient imaging procedures and the way they order doses to make the most of the existing LEU supply. 

Cardinal Health is also hosting a series of webinars to educate customers about this new policy, how it will impact the way they order, procure and are reimbursed for imaging procedures; and about changes participating hospitals need to implement in their scheduling, billing and traceability procedures. The company will also continue to educate customers that LEU and HEU doses offer equal levels of radiation exposure; and equal patient benefits.

About Cardinal Health

Headquartered in Dublin, Ohio, Cardinal Health, Inc. (NYSE: CAH) is a $108 billionhealth care services companythat improves the cost-effectiveness of health care. As the business behind health care, Cardinal Health helps pharmacies,hospitals,ambulatory surgery centersandphysician officesfocus on patient care while reducing costs, enhancing efficiency and improving quality.Cardinal Health is an essential link in the health care supply chain, providingpharmaceuticalsandmedical productsto more than 60,000 locations each day. The company is also a leading manufacturer of medical and surgical products, includinggloves,surgical apparelandfluid managementproducts. In addition, the company supports the growing diagnostic industry by supplying medical products toclinical laboratoriesand operating the nation's largestnetwork of radiopharmaciesthat dispense products to aid in the early diagnosis and treatment of disease. Ranked #21 on the Fortune 500, Cardinal Healthemploys more than 30,000 peopleworldwide. More information about the company may be found atcardinalhealth.comand@CardinalHealthon Twitter.

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