CMS recently issued a decision draft stating there is insufficient evidence that the scans improve health outcomes for patients with dementia or neurodegenerative disease. However, evidence does suggest the scans are useful when it comes to ruling out Alzheimer’s disease and in aiding clinical research, according to CMS.
Experts agree that the scans — which cost $3,000 to $5,000 each — are better at ruling out Alzheimer’s as a possibility than diagnosing it, but there isn’t consensus concerning whether or not that’s enough to merit Medicare coverage, according to the report.
Scientists need to do more research to prove the scans have a use outside of the lab before Medicare can cover the procedures, Steven Pearson, MD, president of the Institute for Clinical and Economic Review, told USA TODAY.
However, physicians and patient groups argue the scans are needed in certain cases and Medicare should cover them in those instances, according to the report. The scans are crucial in certain circumstances, Ronald Peterson, MD, director of the Mayo Clinic’s Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, told USA TODAY.
CMS will issue a final coverage decision in October after considering public input.
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