The following is a
statement from the Colon Cancer Alliance.

“The Colon Cancer Alliance is extremely disappointed that the Center
for Medicaid Services (CMS) opted to deny coverage for CT Colonography
(CTC), commonly known as virtual colonoscopy. CTC has proven to be a
very effective method of early detection and prevention of colon
cancer. This decision now leaves millions of older Americans exposed
to a higher risk of colon cancer. It also exacerbates an unequal
standard of care between Medicare beneficiaries, who do not have the
choice to undergo a virtual colonoscopy, and those with private
insurance who do. America’s seniors deserve better. They deserve
the same access to colorectal screening tools as Americans fortunate
enough to have private health insurance.

“About 150,000 Americans are diagnosed with colorectal cancer every
year, the majority of them Medicare aged. It’s the third highest cause
of cancer in the country and the second leading cause of cancer
deaths. Caught early, it has cure rates of more than 90 percent and
through proper screening can be avoided entirely. This is especially
true in the case of virtual colonoscopy, where it’s cheaper, less
invasive and equally medically effective as standard colonoscopy.

“Making virtual colonoscopy more easily available as an alternative
to standard colonoscopy would be an important tool that ultimately
motivates more Americans 50-plus (45 in certain minorities) to undergo
a screening they might otherwise skip. Improved access to virtual
colonoscopy has the potential to increase screening rates enough to
save both lives and money.

“It’s the right of an American senior to screen for colon cancer
using any form of medically accepted, effective procedure they and
their doctor choose. By denying coverage for virtual colonoscopy,
CMS is sending the signal that increased screening amongst the
Medicare beneficiary population is unimportant. The Colon Cancer
Alliance and its members strongly disagree with this sentiment.
Medicare beneficiaries deserve access to virtual colonoscopies. We
urge CMS to immediately re-open a coverage decision so it can
consider additional data pertaining to the age 65 and above
population.”

Source
Colon Cancer Alliance

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