CMS Expands Eligibility for Lung Cancer Screening
This week, CMS released revised eligibility criteria for the Medicare lung cancer screen coverage policy. The revised policy expands the eligibility criteria by increasing the coverage age – the starting age is now 50 (previously 55)— and reducing the pack-years to 20 (previously 30).
“I am pleased CMS listened to the ATS and other members of the clinical community to bring Medicare coverage policy in-line with the U.S. Preventative Services Task Force recommendations on lung cancer screening,” said ATS Vice President M. Patricia Rivera MD. “The updated coverage criteria will save more lives by allowing more high-risk individuals to undergo screening, which can detect lung cancer at an earlier stage and improve outcomes.”
