May 23, 2008
CMS is considering whether to provide Medicare coverage for CT colonoscopy, according to a May 19 announcement by the agency. It gave the public 30 days to comment on the issue.
In announcing the review, CMS said that, in March, 2008, the American Cancer Society, American College of Radiology, and the US MultiSociety Task Force on Colorectal Cancer issued cancer screening guidelines that included CT colonoscopy as an acceptable option for screening. Currently, CMS covers use of fecal occult blood testing, sigmoidoscopy, optical colonoscopy, and barium enema for colorectal cancer screening in average risk adults age 50 and older—but not CT colonoscopy.
In seeking public comment, Medicare said it is particularly interested in clinical studies and other scientific information related to the technology—especially the type of studies needed if it determines that the evidence is inadequate for coverage.
Click to view the CMS tracking sheet.
+ more news
.