Medicare will pay for lung cancer screening with CT

Medicare announced last week that it would begin covering screening for lung cancer with low-dose CT, effective immediately.

Medicare will now cover the screens once per year for beneficiaries who meet all of the following criteria:

• age 55 to 77,
• current smokers or those who have quit smoking within the last 15 years,
• a smoking history of at least 30 pack-years, and
• a written order from a physician or qualified nonphysician practitioner that meets certain requirements.

A visit for counseling and shared decision-making on the benefits and risks of lung cancer screening will also be covered.

In December 2013, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommended annual screening for adults age 55 to 80 who currently smoke or have quit within the past 15 years and have a 30 pack-year smoking history.

ACP Internistcovered the debate over lung cancer screening in March 2014.