Several members of the U.S. Congress are showing support for the American College of Radiology's campaign to persuade the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to cover CT colonography (CTC, or virtual colonoscopy) as a screening exam for colorectal cancer.
The ACR, American Gastroenterological Association, and several patient groups are lobbying lawmakers to send letters to CMS. Reps. Kay Granger (R-TX) and Patrick Kennedy (D-RI) drafted a letter signed by 32 members of Congress, urging CMS Acting Administrator Charlene Frizzera to reverse a February proposal not to cover CT colonography.
"We fully support national Medicare coverage of CTC as an acceptable minimally invasive screening test and an additional valuable tool in our arsenal for detecting and preventing colorectal cancer," the letter reads.
Related Reading
CMS rejects case for virtual colonoscopy reimbursement, February 12, 2009
MedCAC panel gives VC mediocre marks, November 25, 2008
MedCAC panel members question VC's effectiveness, November 25, 2008
Gastroenterologists embrace VC screening, with caveats, October 28, 2008
CMS announces VC evidence meeting, September 26, 2008
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