Thursday, July 17, 2014

Colon Cancer Survivors Challenge Medicare Loophole

By Coleen Elkins


Having a colonoscopy as part of a wellness exam can save your life. Most colonoscopies are preformed every 10 years and at shorter intervals for those at risk. Often in the course of the procedure polyps are found and removed.

For Medicare beneficiaries the "no cost" wellness exam just became a surgical procedure and in no longer considered wellness. Many patients are surprised when an unexpected  billing statement arrives in the mailbox.

Some colon cancer survivors feel there should be no cost for the polyp removal.  Reason being removal of those polyps can prevent the patient from getting colon cancer. Prevention and early detection by biopsy of the polyp can save lives and as a result save Medicare money in treatment of the disease.

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