Some long-term smokers may be able to have annual lung cancer screenings covered by Medicare, the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced on Monday.
The proposed additional preventative service would be available to those age 55 to 74 with a smoking history of at least 30 pack-years, calculated by multiplying the number of packs smoked daily by the number of years a person has smoked. Current smokers or smokers who quit within the last 15 years would eligible.
U.S. Representative Jim Renacci (R-Ohio), part of a bi-partisan delegation to author a letter urging coverage of scans for high-risk patients, said he is pleased with the proposal.
“It is important that Medicare patients have the same access to evidence-based, appropriate medical imaging procedures as those who are covered by private insurance,” Renacci said. “That is why I helped to lead more than 100 of my colleagues in urging CMS to do just that. I’m hopeful that CMS will move forward expediently with its rule-making process.”
Advocacy groups also praised the decision.
“The American Lung Association applauds Medicare for this lifesaving announcement,” Harold Wimmer, national president and CEO of the lung association, said in a statement. “Today’s proposal by Medicare will save lives, increasing the low survival rates associated with lung cancer, our nation’s leading cancer killer.”