News & Media
MSMS Co-Sponsors Letter to Ensure America’s Seniors Have Timely Access to Multi-Cancer Early Detection
In an effort to ensure that seniors have access to multi-cancer early detection screening coverage, MSMS recently co-signed a letter requesting Senator Debbie Stabenow’s (D-MI) co-sponsorship and support for the Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act (H.R. 1946/S. 1873). The House bill (H.R. 1946) was introduced with bi-partisan support on March 16, 2021, and its companion bill in the Senate (S. 1873) was introduced on May 27, 2021.
Under current law, multi-cancer early detection tests are not covered by insurance, and Medicare coverage of preventive services is limited to tests for which Congress has explicitly authorized coverage. Without Congressional action, it could take several years after FDA approval before Medicare beneficiaries receive coverage for multi-cancer early detection tests.
Early detection and diagnosis of cancer is proven to save lives, reduce costs, and improve quality of life. Further, thanks to recent advances in screening technologies, new tests can detect many hidden cancers by performing a simple blood draw. This bi-partisan legislation would ensure coverage and timely access to these potentially life-saving tests by authorizing the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to evaluate and cover multi-cancer early detection tests and future test methods, once approved by the FDA. It is imperative that Congress acts swiftly so that we can prevent future access delays and save lives.