Medicare and U.S. insurance companies will pay for lung cancer screening with low-dose CT scans (LDCT) for former heavy smokers. However, a careful review of the research indicates that this screening is unlikely to save the lives of Medicare patients. It may help save the lives of some patients ages 55-65, but may also harm some.
Can government regulators speed up the introduction of new treatments in hospitals and physician offices without sacrificing safety and effectiveness? Or does the expression “speed kills” hold true?
Legislation that would have accelerated the pace of federal drug approvals in a way that critics said threatened to erode patient safety was formally released this week, in a scaled-back version with many of the most controversial provisions left out.
The FDA April 8 released two final guidance documents that will help provide timely patient access to high-quality, safe and effective medical devices for unmet medical needs…Not everyone is pleased with the guidance, however.
The Medicare Evidence Development and Coverage Advisory Committee (MEDCAC) has expressed little confidence in genetic tests that supposedly predict common cancers. The decision raises doubts about whether the CMS will authorize Medicare coverage for such tests.