Patient and Physician Groups Call on Medicare to Cover Virtual Colonoscopy

Key PointsThe American College of Radiology, Colon Cancer Alliance, Colon Cancer Coalition and Prevent Cancer Foundation call on CMS to open a national coverage determination for virtual colonoscopy screening.Virtual colonoscopy (known as CT colonography) offers seniors a less invasive option to optical colonoscopy, which is shown to increase screening rates. Increased screening can save thousands more lives each year.Under the Affordable Care Act, private insurers will soon be required to cover virtual colonoscopy with no co-pay. Medicare coverage for virtual colonoscopy would allow seniors covered-access to these lifesaving exams and may lower screening costs. Washington, DC— Colorectal cancer patient advocacy groups, theAmerican College of Radiology (ACR) and associated medical associations call on the Centers for Medicare& Medicaid Services (CMS) to cover seniors for virtual colonoscopy (known asCT colonography). Thegroups asked CMS to open a national coverage determination for thisAmerican Cancer Society-recommended screening exam. Studies in theUnited States andabroadshow that virtual colonoscopy increases screening rates, which can save lives, andlowers costs. Recent United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) colorectal cancer (CRC) screeningrecommendationsassigned its highest rating, an“A” grade to colorectal cancer screening, includingvirtual colonoscopy and other tests. Under the Affordable Care Act, this“A” rating w...
Source: American College of Radiology - Category: Radiology Source Type: news