Bill Would Improve Medicare Coverage for Colorectal Cancer Screening

Medicare recipients may soon have improved coverage for colorectal cancer screening if new legislation is passed by Congress.

The bill, sponsored by Sen. Joseph Lieberman (D-CT), Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME), Rep. Benjamin Cardin (D-MD) and Rep. Phil English (R-PA)., provides that any Medicare beneficiary who is eligible for the screening will not be required to meet then annual Medicare deductible before coverage for the test begins.

It also rectifies a policy cited by insurance carriers that denies Medicare beneficiaries the opportunity for a visit with their doctor to learn more about colorectal cancer screening and to determine whether they should have the screening.

"This legislation will improve access to colorectal screening both by ensuring that patients can take advantage of colorectal cancer screening without meeting the customary Medicare deductible, and by providing coverage for the important pre-screening visit with their physician before a colonoscopy exam," said Dr. Edgar Achkar, President of the American College of Gastroenterology.

"We know we can save lives with increased colorectal cancer screening among Medicare patients," said Dr. Ronald J. Vender, Chairman of the American College of Gastroenterology. "This bill gives the colorectal cancer screening benefit a real chance, by ensuring adequate Medicare payment for these important screening tests."

Other Sources: American College of Gastroenterology