ARTICLE SUMMARY:
The number of AI-driven clinical tools passing through FDA review is on the rise, but the reimbursement picture remains patchy. Siemens Healthineers, one medtech giant that is building a footprint in the nascent space, has raised the issue in Congress multiple times in recent months.
Peter Shen, who runs Siemens Healthineers’ North American digital and automation business, has been spending more time in Washington, DC, recently. Notably, he’s testified in Congress twice in the past three months, where he’s leveraged a high level of interest in artificial intelligence by lawmakers to deliver a practical message: clinically vetted AI needs more targeted support from Medicare to demonstrate what it can do to change healthcare.
Siemens designed its AI-Rad Companion platform to integrate AI algorithms into imaging workflows with the goal of improving efficiency and diagnostic precision. It has secured at least 12 510(k) clearances for the system since 2019 covering its use in supporting imaging analysis of the lung, brain, and other parts of the anatomy. But the company suggests adoption of the subscription-based service by clinicians is hampered by lack of dependable reimbursement to cover the costs of the technology.
