The Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI) is encouraging its members to send comments to the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) in support of beta-amyloid PET imaging before the August 2 public comment deadline.
On July 3, 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 already sufficient evidence to support broader PET reimbursement, which would change patient management, lead to better health outcomes, and help families make care decisions.
"Our patients should not have to wait to receive a test that can assist in a more accurate diagnosis with appropriate management," wrote SNMMI President Dr. Gary Dillehay, professor of radiology at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, in a communiqué to members.
Earlier this year, SNMMI and the Alzheimer's Association jointly developed appropriate use criteria that stipulate that beta-amyloid PET demonstrates more than adequate evidence for CMS to cover Medicare beneficiaries without an additional CED.
