Top nuclear imaging group ‘strongly disagrees’ with Humana’s decision to refuse coverage for PET/CT – Health Imaging

A top nuclear imaging advocate on Thursday pushed back against Humanas recent decision to refuse coverage for PET/CT exams, arguing the move denies patients access to potentially life-saving technologies.

The American Society of Nuclear Cardiology last week publicized Humanas coverage determination, which restricts payment for hybrid PET/CT exams based on their experimental and investigational nature, according to the insurance giant.

But the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging recently joined other medical groups, including ASNC, in trying to overturn the decision. Those organizations say such exams have an established role in treating a number of diseases, including esophageal cancers, neurologic abnormalities, and many cardiac indications.

Nearly all commercially available PET scanners are now hybrid PET/CT systems, and these newer systems have numerous other improvements compared to older models, SNMMI said in a statement. With this policy, Humana is thus requiring its members to provide cardiac PET services using less advanced instrumentation than is currently available.

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Top nuclear imaging group 'strongly disagrees' with Humana's decision to refuse coverage for PET/CT - Health Imaging