On February 11, 2009, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) proposed not to cover computed tomography colonography (CTC) for colorectal cancer screening for Medicare patients. This decision comes despite the overwhelming evidence from the 2008 ACRIN CTC trial that shows virtual colonoscopy is just as effective as optical colonoscopy at detecting polyps >10mm that require removal.
The ACR, along with the American Gastroenterological Association, the Colon Cancer Alliance, and the American Cancer Society are working to reverse CMS’s decision not to cover this important non-invasive screening tool as an option for Medicare patients. We need your help.
Your Member of Congress has the opportunity to weigh in with Medicare by signing on to a letter being circulated by Rep. Kay Granger (TX) and Rep. Patrick Kennedy (RI) that will be sent to the agency urging that they cover CTC as a screening option.
Please call your House Member and ask him/her to sign on to the Granger—Kennedy letter to CMS regarding coverage for virtual colonoscopy for colon cancer screening. What you may point out to your Member of Congress:
CMS is about to make a huge mistake and limit the options for Medicare patients seeking to get screened for colon cancer.
Colon cancer is the third most common cancer in the United States and the second leading cause of cancer deaths. Screening rates for colon cancer lag behind both breast cancer and cervical cancer as only 50% of eligible seniors are getting necessary screening. Colon cancer is very curable if detected, therefore no one should die from this disease.
Public health officials and physicians believe that the invasiveness of the optical colonoscopy may act as a barrier for those who should be screened. In order to provide alternatives to the colonoscopy, physicians have developed the virtual colonoscopy which can detect colon cancer and polyps that need to be removed via CT imaging. This technology has been evolving and improving for over 18 years. The evidence is now here to warrant coverage for virtual colonoscopy for colon cancer screening by Medicare. Despite recent published evidence from a national clinical trial showing virtual colonoscopy’s comparable effectiveness to the standard colonoscopy, Medicare has proposed not to cover this non-invasive option. Along with the radiology community, the American Gastroenterological Association, the Colon Cancer Alliance, and the American Cancer Society all support coverage.
Other areas of the government recognize the benefit of virtual colonoscopy. The Department of Defense has large volume screening programs using virtual colonoscopy at Walter Reed Army Medical Center and the National Naval Medical Center. Walter Reed has determined their program to be a success and is working with the Department of Veterans Administration to deploy virtual colonoscopy screening throughout the VA Health System. Medicare patients deserve the same access to colorectal cancer screening.
“I ask that Congressman/woman … please sign on to the Granger—Kennedy letter to CMS urging the agency to reconsider their decision not to cover this valuable screening tool.”
