CMS expands Medicare coverage for lung cancer screening 

Medicare yesterday expanded eligibility for lung cancer screening with low dose computed tomography by lowering the starting age for screening from 55 to 50 and reducing the tobacco smoking history from at least 30 packs per year to at least 20 packs per year. The final national coverage decision also simplifies requirements for the counseling and shared decision-making visit; removes the requirement for the reading radiologist to document participation in continuing medical education; and adds back a requirement for radiology imaging facilities to use a standardized lung nodule identification, classification and reporting system, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services said. Low dose computed tomography is the only recommended screening test for lung cancer.