Here’s what you need to know:
1. While some reasons for avoiding colonoscopy might include discomfort or the long preparation time, the most common factor in patients’ decisions are cost.
2. Medicare and private insurers cover procedures recommended by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, including colonoscopy, stool-based DNA tests and other colorectal cancer screening techniques.
3. If a screening method tests positive, a patient will need a follow-up colonoscopy to confirm the result.
4. Some private insurers cover the follow-up colonoscopy, without patient cost sharing.
5. However, Medicare and other insurers leave patients responsible for all deductible and coinsurance charges associated with the follow-up diagnostic test.
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