The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services said it will cover positron emission tomography (PET) scans for some diagnoses of Alzheimer’s disease under Medicare. The scans will be covered when it’s still unclear whether the patient has Alzheimer’s, even after a clinical evaluation.
The scans can detect certain plaques in the brain that are often signs of Alzheimer’s, however the tests can cost $1,500.
CMS will accept public comments on the draft proposal until July 15. For more information, visit www.cms.hhs.gov/mcd/viewdraftdecisionmemo.asp?id=104.
