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.
FDA, Cancer Vaccine Updates and a Misguiding of Breast Cancer Treatment
February 5th 2024One cancer vaccine may still be years away from being available, a breast cancer test may be misguiding treatments for Black women and the review of two oncology regimens are being expedited by the FDA.
Listen
Teddi Mellencamp Reveals More Melanoma Lesions, Michael Strahan’s Daughter Cancer-Free and More
July 19th 2024From Teddi Mellencamp revealing that she had more melanoma spots removed to Isabella Strahan announcing being cancer-free, here’s what’s happening in the oncology space this week.
Read More