Publication
Article
What does Medicare cover when it comes to screening for colorectal cancer?
>
Benefits for individuals of average risk, age 50 or older:Fecal occult blood test (FOBT), every 12 months
>
Flexible sigmoidoscopy, every 48 months
>
Screening colonoscopy, every 10 years (no minimum age)
>
Barium enema, an alternative to flexible sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy if your physician determines its screening value is equal or better
>
Benefits for high-risk* individuals, regardless of age: FOBT, every 12 months
>
Sigmoidoscopy, every 48 months
>
Colonoscopy, every 24 months
>
Barium enema, every 24 months
>
What you’ll pay: FOBT, completely covered by Medicare
>
Flexible sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy or barium enema, 20 percent of Medicare-approved amount after yearly Part B deductible if done in a doctor’s office (and 25 percent for a flexible sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy done in a hospital outpatient department)
>
*You’re high risk if you have:previously had colorectal cancer
>
a close relative with colorectal polyps or cancer
>
a history of polyps
>
inflammatory bowel disease
For information about Medicare coverage of cancer screenings and about risk factors, visit www.medicare.gov/Health/cancer.asp. To learn about the Welcome to Medicare visit, see www.medicare.gov/health/physicalexam.asp.