The U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has approved coverage of F-18 sodium fluoride (F-18 NaF) PET and PET/CT imaging to identify bone metastasis of cancer under certain conditions.
It would be used to confirm the initial antitumor treatment strategy or to guide subsequent antitumor treatment strategy after completing initial treatment under a coverage with evidence development (CED) framework.
To qualify for coverage, the final decision memorandum stipulates that F-18 NaF PET and PET/CT imaging must lead to one of the following:
- A change in patient management to more appropriate palliative care
- A change in patient management to more appropriate curative care
- Improved quality of life
- Improved survival
CMS began to review evidence on the use of F-18 NaF imaging to identify bone metastasis of cancer in June 2009.
Related Reading
CMS considers F-18 NaF PET coverage, December 8, 2009
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