Here is some important news for providers and good news for abdominal aneurysm sufferers: next year Medicare will begin coverage for ultrasound screening for abdominal aortic aneurysms for high-risk beneficiaries, according to the Kaiser Network.
“High-risk” groups include:
• Beneficiaries with a history of aneurysms in their family
• Males who’ve smoked more than 100 cigarettes in their lifetimes
Beneficiaries currently in the Medicare program will not receive coverage for ultrasounds. From the report:
Robert Zwolak, a Dartmouth Medical School vascular surgeon who campaigned for the new coverage, said the move is “a tremendous step forward and a great victory for patients at risk.” According to the Journal, AAAs kill 15,000 U.S. residents each year, although the number could be higher because the causes of sudden deaths often go undetermined. Supporters of the bill estimate that roughly 58,000 U.S. beneficiaries could be screened during the first year (Burton, Wall Street Journal, 2/10).