Publication

Article

CURE

Summer 2007
Volume6
Issue 4

Medicare Coverage for Colon Cancer Screenings

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.

Newsletter

Stay up to date on cancer updates, research and education

Related Videos
Dr. Erika Hamilton says social media and professional guidelines help patients stay informed about fast-changing breast cancer treatments and advances.
Dr. Masey Ross explains how biomarker testing, patient history, and quality-of-life concerns guide treatment decisions in metastatic breast cancer.
Dr. Paolo Tarantino shares how antibody-drug conjugates deliver more targeted chemo, and how the treatment lasts longer in the body vs traditional therapy.
Image of women with text.
Image of two doctors with text.
Imiage of two doctors with text.
Enhertu with Perjeta nearly doubled progression-free survival versus standard treatment in metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer, study shows.
Dr. Massimo Cristofanilli discusses the early use of camizestrant with a CDK4/6 inhibitor to target ESR1 mutations, as it may improve outcomes in metastatic breast cancer.
Image of woman.
Related Content