CMS Considers Coverage of Cervical Cancer Screening With HPV Tests

The CMS has started a national coverage analysis to determine if Medicare should pay for cervical cancer screening with a combination of human papillomavirus (HPV) and Pap smear testing.

Medicare now covers only a screening pelvic examination and Pap test for all female beneficiaries at 12- or 24-month intervals depending on specific risk factors, a Nov. 25 national coverage analysis (NCA) tracking sheet said. However, Medicare doesn’t cover cervical cancer screening with HPV testing. HPV is a sexually transmitted infection associated with most cases of cervical cancer, according to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

The tracking sheet said ...