Changes in PET Scan Eligibility - New Policy as of October 2023

LindaLouise

My DH is in process of being approved for a PET scan to determine if he as FTD. Our neurologist said a change in the policy will now allow most people to be eligible for a PET scan. Here is a summary from the article and a link for more detailed information. This is new, so if you've looked into PET scans in the past, this is different from what you would have been told. Below is the summary and below that a link to the full article.

CHICAGO, Oct. 13, 2023 — A valuable Alzheimer’s disease diagnostic tool will now be more accessible across the country thanks to a policy change today by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). The Alzheimer’s Association applauds CMS for taking action to expand coverage of brain amyloid positron emission tomography (PET) imaging for the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease. In issuing its new policy, CMS said the specific details of the coverage will be made by the Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs). The Alzheimer’s Association urges the MACs to quickly implement broad and equitable coverage for all Medicare beneficiaries.

https://www.alz.org/news/2023/medicare-covers-pet-imaging-alzheimers-diagnosis#:~:text=Alzheimer's%20Association%20Applauds%20CMS%20Decision%20to%20Cover%20PET%20Imaging%20for%20Alzheimer's%20Disease%20Diagnosis&text=CHICAGO%2C%20Oct.,%26%20Medicaid%20Services%20(CMS).

Anna2022

This is happening!

Just recently, our Medicare Advantage Plan has authorized coverage for a PETScan for my DH.

Iris L.

LindaLouise, thanks for posting. I had to join a clinical trial in order to get my own Amyvid PET scan a few years ago. Now, it will be easier for patients to obtain.

Iris

justbreathe2

Thank you for sharing.

My DH and I wanted to have a PET scan a year ago, and his Neurologist would not even discuss with us. He was diagnosed with MCI. We had to wait a year now to see him again on February 1st. I will bring this up with the Neurologist.