Cologuard refers to an at-home stool DNA test that can help screen for colon cancer or polyps. A person enrolled in Medicare aged between 45 and 85 is eligible for coverage for a Cologuard test every 3 years. If a person is eligible, they will pay nothing for this screening test if their doctor accepts assignment.
This roughly follows the guidelines of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF). They note it is advisable for all adults ages 45 to 49 and 50 to 75 to screen for colorectal cancer, as well as those over 75 following a doctor’s recommendation.
Generally, a person is eligible for Medicare at the age of 65. However, a person may be able to enroll sooner if they are living with a disability, end stage renal disease (ESRD), or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
Read on to learn more about Medicate eligibility for those under 65.
In addition to the age criteria, there are other requirements to be eligible for Cologuard coverage under Medicare.
These include showing no symptoms of colorectal disease. For example, these can include:
- blood in stool
- lower gastrointestinal pain
- positive occult blood in a stool test
A person must also be at an average risk of developing colorectal cancer. This means a person has no personal or family history of:
Read on to learn more about Medicare and coverage for colorectal cancer treatment.
Medicare resources
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