February 2016

After compelling arguments by ATS and sister organizations, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Coverage and Analysis Group issued a clarification this week regarding which physicians can order lung cancer screening and provide the shared decision-making visit. In its clarification statement, CMS states, "Based on the NCD and applicable regulations, the physician or non-physician practitioner who furnishes the shared-decision making visit and orders the LDCT must be treating the beneficiary and use the results in the management of the beneficiary's specific medical problem to ensure improved health outcomes." This clarification of its earlier statement is final assurance that pulmonary providers and other specialists can order lung cancer screening and provide the shared-decision making visit, provided all other CMS requirements are met.

To learn more about the correct coding, billing, and documentation requirements for the lung cancer screening benefit, please view this ATS webinar. Contact Mr. Gary Ewart in the ATS Washington Office (gewart@thoracic.org) with any questions or requests for additional information.