In the April 2022 edition of The Compass, we shared news about expanded coverage for lung cancer screenings. In July 2022, however, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) did not support coverage of Computed Tomography Colonography (CTC), an alternative tool to screen for colorectal cancer. (If you’re interested, read about the decision here.)
The real reason we are highlighting this development is to point out that Medicare does cover your colonoscopy once every 24 months for those at high risk, once every 120 months if not at high risk and 48 months after a previous flexible sigmoidoscopy. There is no minimum age requirement. If you have delayed your colonoscopy due to COVID -19 or some other factor, this is your friendly (but firm) reminder to schedule one soon if your physician recommends it!
Evidence indicates that colorectal screening significantly reduces the risk of dying from colorectal cancer, even in older adults. This 2021 article from the National Cancer Institute (cancer.gov) provides highlights from some recent studies on colorectal screening in seniors.