Artificial intelligence (AI) software developer Optellum said that its software’s lung cancer prediction technology is eligible for reimbursement nationwide under the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) new technology ambulatory payment classification (APC).
Effective July 1, hospitals using Optellum's lung cancer prediction score for quantitative CT tissue characterization -- performed separately from a CT scan -- will be eligible for Medicare reimbursement at a national payment rate of $600-$700 under temporary CPT code 0721T, according to the company.
The lung cancer prediction score is available on Optellum's Virtual Nodule Clinic software, which received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) 510(k) clearance in 2021.
![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)
