On July 19, U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich, Edward J. Markey, and Shelley Moore Capito commended the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for responding positively to their call to increase coverage for amyloid PET scans. The decision will provide enhanced access to amyloid PET scans for patients of Alzheimer's disease, benefiting diagnosis and treatment options in the country.
“The only way to treat Alzheimer’s Disease is to continue expanding access to diagnostic tools, like amyloid PET scans. I’m grateful that the Biden Administration listened to our calls to expand Medicare coverage for amyloid PET scans, and I was glad to lead the charge with Senators Markey and Capito late last year to get this done,” said Heinrich, according to a press release. “This expanded coverage will ensure Medicare beneficiaries receive a diagnosis sooner and enable early treatment. It’s a huge step in the right direction.”
According to the press release, U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), and Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.V.) praised the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for responding positively to their request seeking to expand coverage for amyloid PET scans, which play a crucial role in diagnosing and treating patients with Alzheimer's disease. If implemented, this recent announcement by CMS represents a significant advancement in guaranteeing that Medicare-covered patients can access essential medical services during their treatment without being burdened by excessive costs.
“Getting an Alzheimer’s diagnosis is hard enough. It shouldn’t also bankrupt patients,” said U.S. Senator Edward J. Markey, according to the press release. “Health care should be a right, not a privilege for the few who can pay thousands of dollars out of pocket to access the most advanced tools. I am grateful that the Biden administration has heard our calls and taken a critical step to expand Medicare coverage for amyloid PET scans. We must ensure that every participant in the health care system – from pharmaceutical companies to insurers – is working together to make essential tools for Alzheimer’s diagnosis and care available and accessible to all who need it.”
The current policy for people on Medicare allows only one amyloid PET scan during their lifetime while participating in a clinical trial. The proposed decision aims to remove this restriction and expand coverage, contingent on the determination of Medicare Administrative Contractors according to the press release.
“Alzheimer’s disease is a devastating reality for millions of Americans and their families, and I’ve seen first-hand the harsh toll that it takes on both individuals and loved ones. This decision from CMS will modernize and strengthen the ability to accurately diagnose and treat this terrible disease as early as possible. I’m pleased that our calls we’re heeded by the administration and that this important step in our fight against Alzheimer’s disease was taken,” said U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito according to the press release.
The three senators had previously written a letter calling for Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) Xavier Becerra and CMS Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure to reconsider a 2013 national coverage determination (NCD) that imposed limitations on certain brain imaging procedures for diagnosing Alzheimer’s disease.
