The American Gastroenterological Association believes that all individuals should have access to the colorectal cancer screening option that works best for them, as decided by the patient and their physician, and advocates that patients should have access to colonoscopies through Medicare and Medicaid and their private health insurance plans, according to an AGA news release.
According to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, starting this year, Medicare and Medicaid will no longer charge copayments for proven preventive screenings such as CRC screenings. Medicare will also waive the deductible for CRC screenings regardless of whether a polyp or lesion is found. However, the copayment is not waived when a screening colonoscopy becomes therapeutic, and AGA has been aggressively lobbying to change this stipulation.
"The AGA encourages the Department of Health and Human Services to adhere to professional society guidelines on colorectal cancer screening to ensure that insurers do not limit patient access to various screening modalities," said Ian L. Taylor, MD, president of the AGA Institute. "Both public and private health insurers should be required to cover all recommended options for screening for everyone age 50 years and older, or 45 years and older for those at higher risk, with reasonable copayment."
Read the AGA news release about access for colorectal cancer screening.
Read other coverage about colorectal cancer screening:
- Study: GoLytely More Effective Bowel Prep Than MiraLAX
- Researchers Say Colonoscopy Needs More Widespread Use
- ASC, ASGE React to NYTimes 'Letter' About Colonoscopy
According to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, starting this year, Medicare and Medicaid will no longer charge copayments for proven preventive screenings such as CRC screenings. Medicare will also waive the deductible for CRC screenings regardless of whether a polyp or lesion is found. However, the copayment is not waived when a screening colonoscopy becomes therapeutic, and AGA has been aggressively lobbying to change this stipulation.
"The AGA encourages the Department of Health and Human Services to adhere to professional society guidelines on colorectal cancer screening to ensure that insurers do not limit patient access to various screening modalities," said Ian L. Taylor, MD, president of the AGA Institute. "Both public and private health insurers should be required to cover all recommended options for screening for everyone age 50 years and older, or 45 years and older for those at higher risk, with reasonable copayment."
Read the AGA news release about access for colorectal cancer screening.
Read other coverage about colorectal cancer screening:
- Study: GoLytely More Effective Bowel Prep Than MiraLAX
- Researchers Say Colonoscopy Needs More Widespread Use
- ASC, ASGE React to NYTimes 'Letter' About Colonoscopy