Medicare Now Covers Colonoscopies For Average-Risk Patients

Effective July 1, Medicare now covers a screening colonoscopy once every ten years for average-risk patients.

"People covered by Medicare - mostly people age 65 and older - should ask their doctors about colorectal cancer screening and mention the new benefit," said Lynne Bekeart, a member of the American Cancer Society's California Colorectal Cancer Initiative .

"Medicare covers 80 percent of this costly procedure done once every ten years; the patient pays just a 20 percent co-payment after paying their annual Part B deductible," she said.

Other sources: American Cancer Society, HCFA