Imaging groups weigh in on CT lung screening vote

The American College of Radiology (ACR) and the Medical Imaging and Technology Alliance (MITA) are weighing in on a negative vote by a Medicare advisory committee regarding coverage of low-dose CT (LDCT) for lung cancer screening.

ACR is "deeply disappointed" at the failure of the Medicare Evidence Development and Coverage Advisory Committee (MEDCAC) to vote in support of national Medicare coverage for the scans, it said in a statement. Available evidence such as the National Lung Screening Trial has led ACR to recommend that the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) pay for the exams, especially as private payors are beginning to do so, the organization said.

"Lack of national Medicare coverage for CT lung cancer screening places many Medicare beneficiaries at a potentially lethal disadvantage to those covered by private insurance regarding lung cancer survival," ACR said in the statement.

MITA also expressed dismay but remained confident that CT lung cancer screening will be covered eventually.

"Making LDCT available to Medicare beneficiaries is in the best interest of the Medicare program and the patients it serves," said Gail Rodriguez, MITA's executive director. "We believe CMS will consider the overwhelming evidence and make this lifesaving service available to beneficiaries."