Patients willing to undergo CT colonography if it's cheap

Most patients who have been offered colorectal cancer screening but turned it down are willing to undergo CT colonography as long as out-of-pocket fees are reasonable, according to a study.

Of 68 patients who participated in the questionnaire, 83% said they would be willing to undergo CT colonography. However, 70% said they would not be willing to pay out-of-pocket fees if insurance did not cover the study. Among the 30% who said they would pay the fees, the average amount they were willing to pay (mean: $244, median: $150) was well below currently charged rates (AJR 2010;195:393-397).

Although the values may have been influenced by the study's small size, the values are consistent with the cost-effectiveness analysis by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality performed for CMS, the authors wrote. CMS found CT colonography could become a cost-effective screening strategy if its cost were $200 or less.