ACR, advocacy groups urge Congress to pass bill requiring Medicare coverage of CT colonography

The American College of Radiology (ACR) and numerous colorectal cancer care advocacy groups issued a statement this week calling for Congress to pass the CT Colonography Screening for Colorectal Cancer Act (HR 1298). The legislation, which has bipartisan support, would provide Medicare coverage for CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy).

“CT Colonography is as accurate as standard colonoscopy in most people—including those 65 and older—and is far less invasive,” Judy Yee, MD, chair of the ACR Colon Cancer Committee, said in the statement. “Former President Obama had this test. Medicare needs to cover CT colonography and help physicians save more lives.”

“Medicare-covered access to CT colonography can attract many who would otherwise not be tested, allowing doctors to remove polyps before they become cancers  and helping people prevent this deadly disease,” Carolyn R. “Bo” Aldigé, CEO and founder of the Prevent Cancer Foundation, said in the same statement.

Thirty-seven states currently require virtual colonoscopy to be covered by insurance providers. Providers taking part in the Affordable Care Act’s federal exchanges must cover it with no copay.