USPSTF Refusal to Name CT Colonography a Recommended Screening Tool May Slow Colorectal Cancer Screening Progress and Increase Spending

Washington, DC (Oct. 6, 2015) -- U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) reliance on obsolete data to omit CT colonography (known as virtual colonoscopy) from the list of recommended exams in their latest draft colorectal cancer (CRC) screening recommendations may be a significant blow to efforts to raise colorectal cancer screening rates. This exclusion may result in countless unnecessary deaths and unnecessary health care spending. Under the Affordable Care Act, private insurers are only required to cover (with no copay) exams given a grade of “B” or higher. Medicare determines coverage separately. It is unclear how these draft USPSTF recommendations would affect coverage and resulting patient access, given that the USPSTF did not propose grades for specific screening technologies. A recent study in Abdominal Imaging shows that screening Medicare patients with CT colonography would cost 29 percent less than with optical colonoscopy and save up to $1.7 billion per screening cycle. At least a third of those who should be screened for CRC are not getting tested because they can’t have or don’t want a colonoscopy. Studies show that CT colonography availability significantly boosts CRC screening rates which can detect more cancers early – when most treatable — and save lives. “This USPSTF draft recommendation could restrict access to a major tool to help achieve the National Colorectal Cancer Roundtable goal of an 80 per...
Source: American College of Radiology - Category: Radiology Source Type: news