President Barack Obama's $4.1 trillion spending plan for fiscal year 2017 includes a number of elements that could affect gastroenterology, including a possible change to Medicare colonoscopy reimbursement, according to a report from the American Gastroenterological Association.
Here are three things to know.
1. The Removing Barriers to Screening Act (HR 1220/S 624) is included in the budget proposal.
2. The legislation would change the current Medicare screening colonoscopy coinsurance issue, which requires Medicare beneficiaries to pay coinsurance if polyps are removed during the procedure. Coinsurance would be waived whether the colonoscopy was considered screening or therapeutic.
3. The bill has bipartisan support. The AGA hopes it will be passed before the end of the year, according to the report.