Gastroenterology Digestive Diseases
Medicare Coverage
Medicare will pay for yearly fecal occult blood testing for persons over the age of 50 at no cost. It will pay for flexible sigmoidoscopy every four years for patients over the age of 50 and with average risk. The patient is responsible for 20% of the allowable cost after yearly part B deductible.
Medicare will pay for colonoscopy every 10 years for persons age 50 and over with average risk. Patient financial responsibility is the same as for flexible sigmoidoscopy. Medicare will pay for a barium enema as an alternative to screening flexible sigmoidoscopy and colonoscopy if indicated by a medical provider. It will pay at the same rate as flexible sigmoidoscopy and colonoscopy.
