Colon Cancer screenings ARE COVERED BY MEDICARE!!!

So with all of the hoopla going on and on about Health care reform I decided to investigate weather or not those in the current Medicare System are covered and what type of coverage they receive.

Colon cancer screenings (and there are four types) are the best way to prevent colon cancer. As you'll learn through your own research and discussions with doctors, catching colon cancer in it's early stages allows a lot of time to combat it.

I learned that in Utah Medicare covers a colonoscopy every two years for people with Medicare at high risk for colorectal cancer. There is no age limit. Some high risk factors include, but are not limited to:

• A close relative (sibling, parent or child) has had colorectal cancer or an adenomatous polyp.
• There is a family history of familial adenomatous polyposis
• There is a family history of hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer
• There is a personal history of adenomatous polyps
• There is a personal history of colorectal cancer
• There is a personal history of inflammatory bowel disease, including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.

Medicare covers a colonoscopy every 10 years for people with Medicare who are not at high risk for colorectal cancer. There is no age limit.

Medicare covers several colorectal cancer screening tests. Talk with your doctor about the screening test that is right for you. All people age 50 and older with Medicare are covered. However, there is no minimum age for having a colonoscopy.

Colonoscopy: Medicare covers this test once every 24 months if you are at high risk for colorectal cancer. If you aren’t at high risk for colorectal cancer, the test is covered once every 10 years, but not within 48 months of a screening flexible sigmoidoscopy.

This is just for people in Utah.

To learn more about coverage in your area visit: http://www.medicare.gov/coverage/Home.asp

When you're on the site you can choose your state and then select "Colorectal Cancer Screening" from the next menu.