Blood-based biomarker tests (screening) for colorectal cancer
Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) covers blood-based biomarker screening tests to check for colorectal cancer
Description
Blood-based biomarker tests can help detect colorectal cancer early, when treatment is most effective.
Coverage details
Medicare covers a blood-based biomarker screening test to check for colorectal cancer if you meet all these conditions:
- You’re between 45–85.
- You show no symptoms of colorectal disease (including, but not limited to, lower gastrointestinal pain, blood in stool, or positive guaiac fecal occult blood test or fecal immunochemical test).
- You're at average risk for developing colorectal cancer, meaning:
- You have no personal history of adenomatous polyps, colorectal cancer, or inflammatory bowel disease (including Crohn’s Disease and ulcerative colitis).
- You have no family history of colorectal cancers or adenomatous polyps, familial adenomatous polyposis, or hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer.
If you get a positive result after a blood-based biomarker screening test, Medicare also covers a follow-up colonoscopy as a screening test.
Costs
You pay nothing for this test if your doctor or other health care provider accepts assignment .
How often
Medicare covers a blood-based biomarker screening test for colorectal cancer (if available) once every 3 years.