National Coverage Analysis (NCA) Tracking Sheet

Positron Emission Tomography (NaF-18) to Identify Bone Metastasis of Cancer

CAG-00065R

Issue

Positron emission tomography (PET) is a non-invasive imaging procedure used to assess metabolic activity in various organs or tissues in the human body. Images are obtained by processing emissions from positron-emitting radioisotopes that are usually administered intravenously. Sodium Fluoride F-18 (NaF-18) is a radioisotope used in PET imaging to detect bone metastasis of cancer.

Section 220.6 of the National Coverage Determination Manual identifies 2-[F18] fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (FDG) as the only nationally covered radioisotope for use in PET for cancer imaging. CMS is reconsidering Section 220.6 of the NCD Manual to review evidence on the use of NaF-18 to identify bone metastasis of cancer.

Benefit Category

Diagnostic Tests (other)

Requestor Information

Requestor Name Requestor Letter
Internally Generated N/A
N/A

Important Dates

Formal Request Accepted and Review Initiated
06/04/2009
Expected NCA Completion Date
02/28/2010
Public Comment Period
06/04/2009 - 07/04/2009
Proposed Decision Memo Due Date
Proposed Decision Memo Released
11/30/2009
Proposed Decision Memo Public Comment Period
11/30/2009 - 12/30/2009
Decision Memo Released
02/26/2010
Comments for this NCA
View Public Comments

Contacts

Lead Analysts
Stuart Caplan, RN, MAS
Katherine Tillman, RN, MA
Lead Medical Officers
Jeffrey Roche, MD, MPH

Medicare Benefit Category Determination Date

Actions Taken

June 4, 2009

CMS opens this reconsideration of Section 220.6 of the NCD on Positron Emission Tomography (PET) to review evidence on the use of NaF-18 to identify bone metastasis of cancer. 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 clinical studies and other scientific information relevant to the technology under review.

Instructions on submitting comments can be found at: http://www.cms.hhs.gov/Medicare/Coverage/InfoExchange/publiccomments.html#TopOfPage.

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

November 30, 2009

CMS posts the Proposed Decision Memorandum. The 30-day public comment period on the proposed decision begins with this posting date, and ends after 30 calendar days. CMS considers all public comments, and is particularly interested in new evidence relevant to the technology under review.

Instructions on submitting comments can be found at: http://www.cms.hhs.gov/Medicare/Coverage/InfoExchange/publiccomments.html#TopOfPage.

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

February 26, 2010