Petition to Reverse Medicare Rule
Lawmakers have gathered and began a petition to reverse the Medicare regulation which was passed a few weeks ago. 40 Members of Congress have signed a letter asking for the reverse the decision made by CMS. Medicare no longer pays in full for virtual colonoscopies. However congress is saying there is a lack of substantial evidence backing their decision that virtual scans do not aid in prevention and do not improve healthcare.
The letter said, "...Medicare coverage for virtual colonoscopies could increase screening rates for colon cancer. According to the letter, screening rates for colon cancer increased by 70% at National Naval Medical Center after the center added virtual colonoscopies as an option for patients. Medicare coverage of virtual colonoscopies as a "minimally invasive screening test for colon cancer would not just encourage more patients to undergo screening, but it would potentially close or eliminate the gap in colorectal cancer screening between whites and minority populations."
Less than half of Americans over 50 get screened for colon cancer, so lawmakers are hoping that with provisions that allow the scan to be paid for, more people will get checked regularly, which aids in early diagnosis.
