Radiology Coding Alert

Will 2009 bring 40 million unscreened patients calling for CTCs? Seniors aren't happy with CMS, and they're making their voices heard. The news: Feb. 11, CMS announced a proposed decision memo that states, "The evidence isinadequate to conclude that CT colonography is an appropriate colorectal cancer screening test under 1861(pp)(1) of the Social Security Act. CT colonography for colorectal cancer screening remains noncovered." The response: CMS accepts public comments on proposed decisions. These comments are often dominated by letters from physicians and specialty societies. But if you check the comments on the CT colonography (CTC) proposal, you'll see plenty of patients supporting coverage of this less invasive option (www.cms.hhs.gov/mcd/viewnca.asp?nca_id=220&basket=). Their stories add support to the idea that the 40 million patients who are going unscreened are more likely to sign up for CTC than traditional colonoscopy. Physicians such as David H. Kim, MD, assistant professor of radiology at the [...]