星空入口

News Brief: PET Scan Coverage for Alzheimer's May Be in the Cards

CMS considers expansion of coverage and studies for dementia

After an extensive review of information surrounding the effectiveness of positron emission tomography (PET) scans to diagnose Alzheimer's disease, CMS will decide this month whether it will reimburse the scans for certain patients.
Reimbursement would include scans for patients who have undergone clinical evaluation but whose diagnosis remains uncertain. CMS would also cover scans for patients with early dementia or unexpected memory loss "who are enrolled in clinical trials, with certain safeguards for patients," the agency stated in a press release on June 15. These safeguards would include "informed individualized analysis and evaluation of test results and health status," it said.
CMS consulted with panels of Alzheimer's and dementia experts, who suggested the agency support a clinical trial to decide whether PET scans aid in the diagnosis and management of patients with early dementia, or gives their families more comprehensive information.
To read the release in full, log on to .


- Published on 2004-08-23