Medicare should cover annual CT scans for some beneficiaries at high risk of lung cancer, said the CMS Monday in a new proposal that conflicts with a previous recommendation made by a Medicare panel.
The new proposal goes against a decision last year by the Medicare Evidence Development and Coverage Advisory Committee, which voted against covering CT scans for such patients.
But there is broad support for the screenings. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends that current or past heavy smokers between the ages of 55 and 80 undergo screening. It awarded the screening a “B” recommendation, which means private insurers are required to cover the scans at no cost to certain patients.
The CMS said Monday in a proposed coverage decision that there is enough evidence to support coverage of an annual counseling appointment and then screening as a preventive service benefit if the Medicare beneficiary meets certain criteria. To meet the criteria, a patient: