June 24, 2008 - There is sufficient data and clinical evidence to support national coverage for CT colonography (CTC) as a screening tool for colorectal cancer and urged CMS to reimburse providers for this very important exam, the American College of Radiology (ACR) in conjunction with the Society of Gastrointestinal Radiologists (SGR) and the Society of Computed Body Tomography and Magnetic Resonance (SCBT-MR) informed the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) last week.
The joint comment letter cited recent American Cancer Society (ACS) screening guidelines, released jointly with ACR and the United States Multi-Society Task Force on colorectal cancer entitled, “Screening and Surveillance for Early Detection of Colorectal Cancer and Adenomatous Polyps,” which added CTC to the ACS list of recommended screening options for colorectal cancer.
The ACR comment letter also cited recent research which showed the viability of CTC as a screening option, including the American College of Radiology Imaging Network (ACRIN) National CT Colonography Trial, which showed that broad application of this relatively non-invasive technique as a primary test option appears highly feasible and may serve to enhance compliance with current CTC screening recommendations. The ACRIN findings will be published in August or September 2008.
For more information: www.acr.org
April 16, 2024 
