National Coverage Analysis (NCA) Tracking Sheet

Screening DNA Stool Test for Colorectal Cancer

CAG-00144N

Issue

CMS covers colorectal cancer screening for average risk individuals age 50 years and older using fecal occult blood testing, sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy, and barium enema (42 CFR 410.37). On June 12, 2007, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) received a formal request from EXACT Sciences Corporation asking that we initiate a national coverage determination (NCD) on the use of a screening DNA stool test (the PreGen-Plus test, version 1.1) for average risk individuals. The requestor asks CMS to cover their test every 5 years as an alternative to a screening colonoscopy that may be covered every 10 years or as an alternative to a screening flexible sigmoidoscopy that may be covered every 4 years for such individuals as provided in 42 CFR 410.37 (e) and (g). Neither the law nor the regulations identify the screening DNA stool test as a possible coverage option under the colorectal cancer screening benefit. However, under 42 CFR 410.37 (a)(1), CMS is allowed to use the NCD process to determine coverage of other types of colorectal cancer screening tests that are not specifically identified in the law or regulations as it determines to be appropriate, in consultation with appropriate organizations.

National Coverage Determinations

Benefit Category

Colorectal Cancer Screening Tests

Requestor Information

Requestor Name Requestor Letter
EXACT Sciences Corporation View Letter
Dr. Sidney Winawer View Letter
Dr. Bert Vogelstein View Letter
Dr. Paul Schroy View Letter
Dr. Jonathan Terdiman View Letter
Dr. David Johnson View Letter
Dr. Bernard Levin View Letter
Senator (Ret) Connie Mack View Letter
and Ms. Carolyn Aldige View Letter
N/A

Important Dates

Formal Request Accepted and Review Initiated
08/01/2007
Expected NCA Completion Date
04/29/2008
Public Comment Period
08/01/2007 - 08/31/2007
Proposed Decision Memo Due Date
Proposed Decision Memo Released
01/30/2008
Proposed Decision Memo Public Comment Period
01/30/2008 - 02/29/2008
Decision Memo Released
04/28/2008
Comments for this NCA
View Public Comments

Contacts

Lead Analysts
William Larson
Lead Medical Officers
Joseph Chin, M.D.

Medicare Benefit Category Determination Date

Actions Taken

August 1, 2007

CMS initiates this national coverage analysis for the use of EXACT Sciences' screening DNA stool test. The public has 30 days to submit comments on this topic. CMS considers all public comments, and is particularly interested in clinical studies and other scientific information related to the technology under review.

Instructions on submitting public comments can be found at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/Medicare/Coverage/InfoExchange/publiccomments.html. We strongly urge that all public comments be submitted through this website.

September 19, 2007

Posted comments [PDF, 13MB] received.

View comments received through the website.

January 9, 2008

CMS posts a technology assessment, including a cost effectiveness analysis for use of this test as a screening test, which was requested from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

January 30, 2008

CMS posts a proposed decision memo indicating our intent to not expand the colorectal cancer screening benefit to include coverage of this test. The final public comment period begins.

CMS is particularly interested in comments that address CMS' proposed decision.

To submit comments, please use the orange "comment" button at the top of the page.

April 28, 2008