Medicare Expands Preventive Services

Medicare will pay for preventive ultrasound screening for abdominal aortic aneurysm, or AAA, in specific patient groups and also will expand beneficiary access to bone mass measurement and colorectal cancer screening under a final rule announced by CMS on Nov. 1.

According to the rule, CMS will pay for AAA ultrasound screening as part of the Welcome to Medicare physical for men ages 65 to 75 who have smoked at least 100 cigarettes in their lifetimes, individuals with a family history of AAAs and other individuals recommended for screening by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. The task force first published its recommendations regarding AAA screenings in 2005. The Academy recommends a one-time ultrasound screen for AAA in men ages 65 to 75 who have ever smoked.

In addition to covering AAA screening in certain patients, CMS has expanded "the number of beneficiaries who qualify for bone mass measurement due to long-term steroid therapy," according to a CMS press release announcing the final rule. The agency has reduced the dosage equivalent for eligibility from an average of 7.5 milligrams of prednisone per day for at least three months to 5 milligrams. The rule effectively expands the number of beneficiaries who qualify for bone mass measurement.

In addition, CMS exempted colorectal cancer screening from the Part B deductible, "eliminating a potential financial barrier to using the benefit," according to the agency's statement.