Madison, Wis.-based Exact Sciences Corp. agreed to a contract with Louisville, Ky.-based Humana to cover its Cologuard colon cancer screening test as an in-network service.
Here's what you need to know.
1. Under the agreement, Humana will cover Cologuard tests beginning Jan. 1, 2017 with no co-pay.
2. Humana joins several other insurers nationwide that cover the test. Cologuard is now available to more than 153 million members.
3. Since Cologuard's inclusion as an A-rated service in the colorectal cancer screening guidelines of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force list in June 2016, more insurers have begun covering the test.
4. CEO of Exact Sciences Kevin Conroy said the decision by Humana to cover Cologuard was indicative of a "growing understanding that Cologuard can detect more cancers earlier and reduce costs in a health system."