In a move that could eventually lead to Medicare reimbursement for virtual colonoscopy screening, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) on Thursday opened to public commentary a draft research plan for colorectal cancer screening.
The American College of Radiology (ACR) and the broader community support the USPSTF review, with an eye toward finally gaining approval of virtual colonoscopy (also known as CT colonography or CTC) as a colorectal cancer screening option for asymptomatic adults approximately 50 years of age and older.
"On behalf of the American College of Radiology, we are very pleased that the USPSTF is revisiting this issue," Dr. Judy Yee told AuntMinnie.com. Yee is a professor and vice chair of radiology and biomedical imaging at the University of California, San Francisco; chief of radiology at the San Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Center; and a member of the ACR Colon Cancer Committee.
"There has been a tremendous amount of research published in recent years that supports the use of CT colonography in colorectal cancer screening," she said. "The ACR will submit comments to USPSTF. We look forward to working with the USPSTF and other colorectal cancer stakeholders to advance this process."
The review process is expected to take up much of 2014 or continue for even longer. However, if CTC is ultimately successful, Medicare reimbursement could potentially be obtained without further analysis by the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) or congressional action, with CTC joining other approved tests such as fecal occult blood testing and conventional colonoscopy.
Thursday's request for comments seeks input on the utility of various colorectal cancer screening tests, alone and in combination. It asks for commentary on the different screening exams within a range of target populations, screening settings, and outcomes.
Those wishing to comment have until 5:00 p.m. EST on February 5.
