PET Scan at CDI now Covered for Majority of Cancer Patients VINELAND, NJ (April 16, 2009) – The Center for Diagnostic Imaging (CDI), the area’s largest privately-owned radiology facility, announced that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) have significantly expanded coverage of positron emission tomography (PET) scans performed in both the initial and subsequent evaluation of patients with the majority of cancer types. The new CMS decision will help save patients thousands of dollars who would otherwise have to pay out-of-pocket for their PET scans. Additionally, this decision increases the likelihood that private insurers will eventually follow CMS’ lead. “CMS’ decision to cover PET scans for cancer demonstrates the intrinsic medical value of PET and important role of these scans in diagnosing, staging, restaging and monitoring treatment for many cancers,” said Dr. Ajay Munjal of CDI’s medical staff. “We are proud to have this technology available at CDI for patients throughout the region.” The move is based on significant clinical evidence regarding the effectiveness of PET for management of patients with cancer. Now, all Medicare beneficiaries with certain cancers can receive Medicare coverage for at least one PET scan, as prescribed by their physicians. The nine covered cancers— breast, cervix, colorectal, esophageal, head and neck, lymphoma, melanoma, non-small cell lung and thyroid—have all been expanded to cover the subsequent treatment strategy, in addition to initial diagnosis. Additionally, Medicare is now expanding coverage to include ovarian cancer and myeloma, making a total of eleven indications now covered for both the initial diagnosis and subsequent treatment strategy for patients. PET imaging, or PET scan, is a test that images the function of cells to show differences between healthy tissue and diseased tissue. It uses a small amount of a radioactive chemical which is combined with sugar. PET scans are used to evaluate various neurological and cardiac disorders, as well as for diagnosing, staging and monitoring the treatment of many different cancers. For more information about the PET scan at CDI or to make an appointment, call 856-794-1700. |
