Colorectal Cancer Screening and Barium Enema with Medicare

Treatment for colon cancer, and most types of cancer, is most effective when it is found early.  With this in mind most insurance companies will cover preventative testing to find out if a cancerous growth exists.  One of these procedures is a barium enema and it is covered for all Medicare patients over the age of 50.

Barium Enema: When this test is used instead of a flexible sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy, Medicare covers the test once every 48 months for people age 50 or over and once every 24 months for people at high risk for colorectal cancer.  This is great news for being able to avoid a terrible onset of cancer.

In 2011, you pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for the doctor’s services. In a hospital outpatient setting, you pay a copayment. The Part B deductible doesn’t apply. So you do get the great option of being covered through Medicare, but you will be expected to make a payment.