State Health Plan Provides Coverage for Life-Saving Colon Cancer Screening
March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. The State Health Plan has long paid benefits for diagnostic colonoscopies, that is, those performed as a result of a symptom or a family history of colon cancer. About 13,000 such screenings were covered last year.
Beginning January 1, the plan now covers one colonoscopy every 10 years for patients age 50 and over even if there are no apparent problems present. The procedures are subject to patient deductibles and coinsurance. The State Health Plan covers state employees and retirees and some city and county workers.
Preventive medicine experts consider colorectal cancer screening for individuals age 50 and older among the most important preventative medical tests both for saving lives and money. Individuals in this age group who have never had a colonoscopy should discuss this procedure with their doctor.
“This is consistent with the best thinking in preventative medicine,” said State Health Plan Director Rob Tester. “Colonoscopy screening for colon cancer is widely recognized as an important preventative medicine tool.’’
Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer found in men and women in this country. The American Cancer Society estimates that there will be about 112,340 new cases of colon cancer and 41,420 new cases of rectal cancer in 2007 in the United States. Combined, they will cause about 52,180 deaths. Approximately 90 percent of colorectal cancers and deaths are thought to be preventable.
The death rate from colorectal cancer has been going down for the past 15 years. Thanks to colorectal cancer screening, polyps can be found and removed before they turn into cancer. And colorectal cancer can also be found earlier when it is easier to cure. Treatments have improved as well. Now is a good time to learn more about this deadly disease.
For more information, go to www.preventcancer.org