Changes Requested to Lung Cancer Screening Eligibility

The American College of Radiology® (ACR®), the GO2 Foundation for Lung Cancer and the Society of Thoracic Surgeons submitted joint society letters June 21 to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and the U.S. Preventive Services Taskforce (USPSTF) that include recommendations to improve existing lung cancer screening eligibility requirements.

The organizations formally request reconsideration of the National Coverage Determination (NCD) for Screening Lung Cancer with Low-dose Computed Tomography (LDCT) and ask for the removal of the criteria for 15 years since quitting smoking and the upper age limit to screening. This would align the NCD with the updated American Cancer Society (ACS) and the National Comprehensive Care Network (NCCN) evidence-based guidelines.

If the 15 years since quitting criterion is removed and if all eligible individuals followed the updated ACS guidelines, there would be an increase in lung cancer screening eligible individuals from 14.2 million to 19.2 million, with 21% more lives saved and 19% more life years gained.

Annual lung cancer screening with low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) in high-risk patients significantly reduces lung cancer deaths and can help identify cancers at an early, treatable and curable stage. It is important that CMS and USPSTF quickly act to remove barriers for individuals who would benefit from screening.

If you have questions about lung cancer screening coverage or the NCD process, contact Alicia Blakey, ACR Senior Economic Policy Analyst.