Summer 2009

CMS maintains decision not to cover virtual colonoscopies

On May 12, 2009, CMS announced a final decision to end Medicare coverage for virtual colonoscopies. In a memo, the agency stated that "the evidence is not sufficient to conclude that screening CT colonography [or virtual colonoscopy] improves health benefits for asymptomatic, average risk Medicare beneficiaries." (Wall Street Journal, May 13, 2009)

More than 40 lawmakers had asked CMS to reconsider the decision, maintaining that Medicare coverage for virtual colonoscopies could encourage more patients to take the screening test for colon cancer and might “potentially close or eliminate the gap” in screening between whites and minorities.