CMS Proposes Expansion of Positron Emission Tomography ("PET") Scans for Cancer Diagnosis

On January 6, 2009, CMS announced a proposal to expand coverage for initial diagnostic testing with PET scans for Medicare beneficiaries being treated for cancer. The proposal would allow coverage for one PET scan to guide the initial treatment approach for many tumors. But not all cancers are covered—including prostate cancer and regional lymph nodes in melanoma.
 
CMS is accepting public comments on the proposed decision through February 5, 2009. A final national coverage determination will be issued in April 2009.