American College of Radiology endorses 2 recent policy proposals to expand imaging pay

The American College of Radiology voiced its support on Thursday for two recent proposals to expand imaging reimbursement in federal payment programs.

Most recently, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced it may lift the longstanding national coverage determination that restricts patients to one amyloid-detecting PET scan in their lifetime. If finalized, CMS would end its coverage with evidence development, or CED, instead permitting local Medicare Administrative Contractors to make the payment determination.

The college said it has long championed this change, “strongly” urging CMS to expand access to this “gold standard” for imaging patients at risk for Alzheimer’s.

“ACR applauds CMS for going beyond and using the initial public comments to inform its proposed decision to remove the [coverage with evidence development] requirement entirely,” the American College of Radiology said in a July 20 news update. “The college believes the evidence is sufficient to end the CED and allow national coverage of beta-amyloid PET. CED enables providers and suppliers to perform high-quality studies that will produce evidence that may lead to positive national coverage determinations.”

Meanwhile, the professional association also issued a second endorsement Thursday, highlighting a bill introduced in June. House Resolution 4286 would require all state Medicaid programs to cover lung cancer screening for eligible enrollees. The Increasing Access to Lung Cancer Screening Act additionally would expand coverage for tobacco cessation, including counseling and medication-assisted treatment.

“The American College of Radiology supports this bipartisan legislation,” the organization said in a separate July 20 news update. “H.R. 4286 takes critical steps to reduce preventative care barriers in underserved areas in order to increase lung cancer screening rates across the country.”