The Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI) expressed its disappointment with the July 3 draft decision from the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) regarding the use of beta-amyloid PET imaging agents.
CMS agreed to cover one PET scan to exclude Alzheimer's disease, but only for patients participating in specific clinical studies under a coverage-with-evidence development (CED) program, which grants conditional reimbursement upon collection of specific data.
SNMMI believes there is sufficient evidence to support immediate, broader coverage, which would change patient management, leading to better health outcomes and helping families make care decisions. The group will soon release an education program for physicians who will refer patients and those who will be reading the scans.
In addition, SNMMI is developing technical procedure guidelines for ensuring quality in the performance of the PET procedures.
