ACR urges radiologists to submit comments on lung screening

The American College of Radiology (ACR) is calling on radiologists to respond to a solicitation for public comment from the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) about changing its reimbursement policies for CT lung cancer screening.

The ACR and others urged the CMS to open a national coverage analysis of its reimbursement policies shortly after the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) in March lowered the initial age and smoking history requirements for screening.

In a May 18 announcement, the CMS said it was reopening its coverage policy for CT lung screening in response to the USPSTF change, as well as in response to a request from the ACR and other groups.

The CMS is accepting comments through June 17, 11:59 p.m. Eastern time on its website. The ACR will provide comments to CMS during the 30-day comment period. The ACR anticipates CMS will issue a proposed decision memo by November 18. A final coverage analysis will be completed by February 16, 2022.