The U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is taking a look at CT angiography (CTA) as part of an internally generated national coverage analyses (NCA).
CMS said it's concerned that the procedure has been rapidly adopted by the clinical community despite the lack of clinical evidence that it improves patient health outcomes. The NCA will evaluate the potential evidence for CTA when used to diagnose coronary artery disease and determine if a national coverage determination (NCD) is warranted, according to CMS.
In addition, CMS said it would also consider the potential of "coverage with evidence development" as an appropriate NCD decision. Public comment is available until July 13, 2007, and CMS expects to complete the national coverage analyses by March 12, 2008.
By AuntMinnie.com staff writers
June 21, 2007
Related Reading
CMS adds to cardiac ultrasound coverage, May 23, 2007
CMS debuts DOQ-IT U, April 12, 2007
CMS extends NPI implementation deadline, April 3, 2007
CMS rescinds IDTF rule changes, February 19, 2007
New CMS rules put the brakes on IDTFs, February 13, 2007
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![Axial images from unenhanced calcium score cardiac CT (left) and curved planar reformation images from CT angiography (right) show that higher long-term exposure to air pollution is associated with greater coronary artery calcium and more obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD). Top row: Images in a 68-year-old male patient with higher 10-year mean ambient air pollution exposure (7.9 μg/m3 for particulate matter measuring ≤2.5 μm in diameter [PM2.5] and 17.4 parts per billion [ppb] for NO2) with extensive CAD (coronary artery calcium score [CACS] >1,000 and obstructive CAD [≥70% diameter stenosis]). Bottom row: Images in a 57-year-old female patient with lower 10-year mean ambient air pollution exposure (6.3 μg/m3 for PM2.5 and 4.6 ppb for NO2) with no CAD (CACS = 0 and no obstructive stenosis).](https://img.auntminnie.com/mindful/smg/workspaces/default/uploads/2026/06/hanneman.r6SMLzkezo.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&dpr=2&fit=crop&h=167&q=70&w=250)
