CMS Proposes Covering Low-Dose CT Scans For People With High Lung Cancer Risk

The CMS Nov. 10 proposed Medicare coverage for low-dose imaging to screen people at high risk for lung cancer.

In a proposed decision memo (PDM), the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services suggested covering low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) scans once per year for beneficiaries ages 55 to 74 who smoked at least one pack of cigarettes per day for 30 years. Also, the memo said Medicare should cover the scans for current smokers or those who have quit smoking in the past 15 years, if they meet other specified criteria.

The CMS in February started a national coverage analysis (NCA) ...