Baltimore Sun Examines Concerns About Overuse Of CT Scan

The Baltimore Sun on Saturday examined concerns about the number of patients who undergo CT scans, which many critics consider "untested, overused, risky and a prime example of health care ruled by profit and fad, rather than hard science." Some experts estimate that each year, U.S. patients undergo between several hundred thousand and one million CT scans.

The debate over the issue has increased since January, when CMS proposed restrictions on Medicare reimbursements for CT angiographies, which cost about $1,000 to $1,200 each, in response to reports that the procedure exposes patients to high levels of radiation and unnecessary health risks.

CMS in March plans to make a final decision on the proposal, which would significantly reduce the use of CT angiographies, as many beneficiaries could not afford to cover the cost of out-of-pocket expenses. According to the Sun, the decision also "could affect the entire industry," as many health insurers likely would "follow Medicare's lead" on coverage for CT angiographies.

Sean Tunis, director of the Center for Medical Technology Policy and the former chief medical officer at CMS, said that the proposal "would have a major effect" on the number of patients who undergo CT angiographies (Kohn, Baltimore Sun, 2/23).