Eliminating cost‐sharing requirements for colon cancer screening in Medicare

Medicare beneficiaries do not have to pay for screening colonoscopies but must pay coinsurance if a polyp is removed via polypectomy. Likewise, beneficiaries do not have to pay for fecal occult blood tests but are liable for cost‐sharing for diagnostic colonoscopies after a positive test. Legislative and regulatory requirements related to colorectal cancer screening are described, and on the basis of Medicare claims, it is estimated that Medicare spending would increase by $48 million annually if Medicare were to waive cost‐sharing requirements for these services. The economic impact on Medicare if beneficiaries were not responsible for any cost‐sharing requirements related to colorectal cancer screening services is described. Cancer 2014;120:3850–3852. © 2014 American Cancer Society.