CTC, or virtual colonoscopy, is a noninvasive screening tool for colorectal cancer. CMS previously denied coverage because many Medicare often have polyps that are found by CTC and must undergo traditional colonoscopy to remove them.
The CTC Working Group said that as many private insurers reimburse physicians for CTC, CMS’ decision “eliminates patient choice and reinforces different standards of care between Medicare beneficiaries and those with private health insurance,” according to the report.
Citing recent examples of CTC’s effectiveness, the coalition encouraged CMS to reopen its decision so that agency can continue weighing additional clinical evidence on areas such as the Medicare population and patient preference.
Read EndoNurse’s report on the CTC Working Group’s objection to the CMS CT colonoscopy decision.
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