Kevin Cramer

12/09/2022 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 12/09/2022 17:54

Sen. Cramer, Colleagues Call for Improved Access to Brain Scans to Diagnose Alzheimer’s Disease

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Kevin Cramer (R-ND) and Edward Markey (D-MA) sent a letter to Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) Xavier Becerra and Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure requesting reconsideration of the 2013 national coverage determination (NCD) brain imaging procedures used for diagnosing Alzheimer's disease. Specifically, the NCD restricts brain imaging for Medicare recipients to a single scan during a person's lifetime, contingent on a patient's enrollment in a clinical trial. New evidence suggests that 'amyloid PET' imaging of the brain is effective in detecting Alzheimer's disease, although scans cost thousands of dollars out of pocket.

"Since CMS issued the NCD, there has been significant progress in Alzheimer's and related dementias research," wrote the senators. "In light of new research showing the effectiveness of this imaging technology, we support reconsideration of the NCD and urge CMS to update it to improve access to this evidence-based diagnostic tool."

"Alzheimer's disease and related dementias are difficult to manage without facing financial and clinical trial barriers," continued the senators. "We must make every effort to grant equitable access to tools that can help individuals and their loved ones treat and manage this disease. We ask that CMS update its NCD to improve equitable access to amyloid PET imaging for people managing Alzheimer's disease and other dementias."

Joining Senators Cramer and Markey are Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Jon Tester (D-MT), Mark Warner (D-VA), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Mike Braun (R-IN), Susan Collins (R-ME), James Lankford (R-OK), Rick Scott (R-FL), and Thom Tillis (R-NC).

Click here to read the letter.