The bill was supported by medical imaging manufacturers. The Medical Imaging and Technology Alliance stated that by requiring CMS to reimburse for virtual colonoscopies, the act would eliminate unnecessary barriers to colon cancer screening.
The bill, H.R. 4165, would mandate CMS reimburse physicians for the tests, which use a CT scan of the abdomen to generate a 3-D reconstruction of the colon so that physicians can find cancer, polyps and other abnormalities.
In 2009, CMS ruled against covering screening CT colonographies, in part because there was a lack of evidence showing its effectiveness in the Medicare-age population. A study published last month in Radiology examined the results of a Medicare age cohort from an earlier trial and argued the virtual exams were effective.
Related Articles on GI/Endoscopy:
Patient Education Tool: ASGE’s “While You Wait” QR Codes Poster
Gastroenterology Center of Connecticut Providing 30 Free Colonoscopies in 30 Days
Dr. Ravi Mani of Houston’s Bay Area Gastroenterology Named Fellow of AGA
