National Coverage Analysis (NCA) Tracking Sheet

Screening for Cervical Cancer with Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Testing

CAG-00442N

Issue

CMS has accepted a formal complete request to initiate a NCA for cervical cancer screening with a combination of HPV and cytology (Pap smear) testing. This screening pathway is recommended with a grade A by the USPSTF for females age 30-65 at 5 year intervals as an alternative to triennial Pap smears, which is also recommended with a grade A. Medicare covers a screening pelvic examination and Pap test for all female beneficiaries at 12 or 24 month intervals, based on specific risk factors. See 42 C.F.R. § 410.56; Medicare National Coverage Determinations Manual, § 210.2.

Our current coverage does not include the HPV testing; HPV is a sexually transmitted infection that is associated with most cases of cervical cancer. The scope of our review is limited to screening for cervical cancer with HPV testing. We would not change our existing regulation through this NCA.

Benefit Category

Additional Preventive Services

Requestor Information

Requestor Name Requestor Letter
Jeffrey J. Cain, M.D. Board Chair, American Academy of Family Physicians View Letter
N/A

Important Dates

Formal Request Accepted and Review Initiated
11/25/2014
Expected NCA Completion Date
07/09/2015
Public Comment Period
11/25/2014 - 12/25/2014
Proposed Decision Memo Due Date
Proposed Decision Memo Released
04/16/2015
Proposed Decision Memo Public Comment Period
04/16/2015 - 05/16/2015
Decision Memo Released
07/09/2015
Comments for this NCA
View Public Comments

Contacts

Lead Analysts
Michelle Issa
Lead Medical Officers
Jyme Schafer, MD MPH

Medicare Benefit Category Determination Date

Actions Taken

November 25, 2014

CMS initiates this national coverage analysis for Screening for Cervical Cancer with HPV Testing. The initial 30-day public comment period begins with this posting date, and ends after 30 calendar days.

CMS considers all public comments, and is particularly interested in comments that include published clinical studies and other scientific information that provides evidence for improvement in short and long term outcomes related to this screening service.

Instructions on submitting public comments can be found at http://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Coverage/InfoExchange/publiccomments.html. You can also submit a public comment by clicking on the highlighted word COMMENT in the title bar at the top of this page. We strongly urge that all public comments be submitted through this website. Please do not submit personal health information in public comments. Comments with personal health information may not be posted to the website.

April 16, 2015

July 09, 2015