Thanks to a strong advocacy effort led by the American Cancer Society (ACS), the law, which went into effect July 1, included the added colonoscopy provision. Previously, Medicare only provided coverage for those at high risk. Now Medicare recipients will have access to the full range of screening tests.

"This is an important step in ensuring that all Americans, age 50 and older, get screened for colorectal cancer," says Durado Brooks, ACS’s program director of prostate and colorectal cancer. He adds that Medicare recipients should talk to their doctor about the screening test that is right for them.

• Fecal occult blood test (FOBT) annually for all beneficiaries 50 and over;
• Flexible sigmoidoscopy (flex-sig) every four years for beneficiaries 50 and over at average risk;
• Colonoscopy every two years for all beneficiaries at high risk;
• Colonoscopy once every 10 years for beneficiaries age 50 and over at average risk; and
• Double contrast barium enema (DCBE) as an alternative if a physician determines that its screening value is equal to or better than flex-sig or colonoscopy.

• FOBT — People over 50 with Medicare pay no coinsurance and no Part B deductible;
• Flex sig — Patient pays 20% of Medicare-approved amount after the yearly Part B deductible;
• Colonoscopy — Patient pays 20% of Medicare-approved amount after the yearly Part B deductible;
• DCBE — When substituted for flex sig or colonoscopy, patient pays 20% of Medicare-approved amount after the yearly Part B deductible.