ACR, advocacy groups push Congress to pass CT colonography bill

The American College of Radiology (ACR) and numerous colorectal cancer care advocacy groups are publicly urging Congress to pass the recently introduced CT Colonography Screening for Colorectal Cancer Act (S 2262). If passed, the bill would provide Medicare coverage for seniors who choose CT colonography.

“A third of those who should be screened for colorectal cancer can’t have or won’t get a colonoscopy,” Eric Hargis, Colon Cancer Alliance CEO, said in a statement. “CT colonography increases screening rates where offered. Medicare coverage would provide seniors with insured access to an exam that may appeal to them. This would jump-start screening, catch more cancers early and saves more lives.”

Private insurers such as CIGNA, UnitedHealthcare, and Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield already cover CT colonography screening. And in more than 20 states, covering the exams is mandatory. Medicare, however, does not currently cover the screenings.

“Medicare coverage for virtual colonoscopy would provide access to a proven test that more seniors may use,” Carolyn R. Aldigé, Prevent Cancer Foundation president and founder, said in the same statement. “This is vital. Colorectal cancer is one of the few cancers that we can often prevent. Detecting precancerous polyps can stop them from becoming cancer. This saves lives.”

Back in October, the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) did not fully endorse CT colonography as a part of its draft colorectal cancer screening recommendations, leading the ACR and Medical Imaging & Technology Alliance (MITA) to write statements expressing concern.

As part of the Affordable Care Act, private insurers are required to completely cover exams given a “B” grade or higher by the USPSTF. The USPSTF draft recommendations gave the following screening techniques an “A” grade for adults ages 50 to 75: fecal occult blood test and fecal immunochemical test (FIT), flexible sigmoidoscopy combined with FIT, and colonoscopy.