A new Senate bill that would require CMS to cover computed tomography colonography as a colorectal cancer screening modality has been introduced, according to a Cancer Therapy Advisor report.
Here are four key points on Senate Bill 2262.
1. Senators James Inhofe (R-Okla.) and Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) introduced the bill.
2. Several major insurers, including Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna and UnitedHealthCare, offer coverage for virtual colonoscopy as a CRC screening option, according to the report.
3. The United States Preventative Services Task Force lists virtual colonoscopy as an alternative screening modality, but does not actually recommend the test.
4. CMS typically references USPSTF guidelines when making coverage determinations, according to the report.