The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has been asked to reconsider the current Medicare coverage for 18F labeled FDG PET at Section 220.6 of the National Coverage Determination (NCD) Manual to provide coverage for PET used for the diagnosis of chronic osteomyelitis, infections associated with hip arthroplasty and fever of unknown origin, each in lieu of bone, leukocyte and/or gallium scintigraphy.

CMS has opened this reconsideration of the NCD on Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and your input is very important.  The formal request is to remove the current de facto non-coverage for PET for the above indications. This 30-day public comment period is currently open, however it will close on July 25th, 2007 so act fast.  CMS considers all public comments, and is particularly interested in clinical studies and other scientific information relevant to the technology under review.

Additional important background information including the indications being requested and the rationale for the National Coverage Decision Request as submitted by Abass Alavi, M.D., Professor of Radiology at the University of Pennsylvania and Javad Parvizi, M.D., Associate Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery, at Thomas Jefferson University can be downloaded at:

http://merlinohccc.com/purchase/supportgraphics/PETNCDletterJune2007.pdf

The NCA Tracking Sheet for Positron Emission Tomography (FDG) for Infection and Inflammation (CAG-00382N) (which you need to submit your comments and any pertinent information) is now available at the following CMS web page:

https://www.cms.hhs.gov/mcd/public_comment.asp?nca_id=207&basketitem=

Also, supporting instructions on submitting comments can be found at:

http://www.cms.hhs.gov/InfoExchange/02_publiccomments.asp#TopOfPage