Medicare Pays for Colorectal Screening Tests to Help You Stay Healthy

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Urges Screenings for Colorectal Cancer
Ray Hurd, Acting Regional Administrator
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, New York Regional Office

Did you know that March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month? According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), colorectal cancer screening saves lives and if everyone with Medicare were screened regularly, as many as 60 percent of the deaths caused from this cancer could be avoided. By taking as little as 30-minutes to get screened, it can save your life. If you have Medicare Part B, and are 50 years old or older, your colorectal cancer screenings are covered.
Treatments work best if colorectal cancer is detected early and the best detection is through routine screening. Screening can find abnormal growths in the colon or rectum so that they can be removed before turning into cancer. There are several tests available for colorectal cancer and you should talk with your physician about the one that is best for you.
Preventive services are critical to your overall health and should not be overlooked. To help remember the services received and the tests needed each year, Medicare beneficiaries can use the MyMedicare.gov tool on the web. MyMedicare.gov will give a description of the covered preventive services, the last date that service was performed, and the next date of eligibility for that service. If you don’t have a computer, maybe you have a family member or loved one who does and can help. Your local library or senior center may also be able to help.
Please take prevention seriously and start today by following these three easy steps to put you on the road to better health:

STEP 1: Know your health history
STEP 2: Talk to your doctor about the Medicare preventive services that are right for you
STEP 3: Register at MyMedicare.gov on any computer connected to the Internet

You can get free copies of “Staying Healthy: Medicare’s Preventive Services” and “Your Guide to Medicare’s Preventive Services” by visiting www.medicare.gov  or calling 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048.