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February 28, 2019

March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. Colorectal cancer is the second leading cancer killer in the United States. Screening can help find this cancer at an early stage. Help protect your Medicare patients by encouraging them to get screened.

March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month

Colorectal cancer screenings save lives

Of cancers that affect both men and women, colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Colorectal cancer affects all racial and ethnic groups and is most often found in people ages 50 and older, and the risk increases with age. There are often no signs or symptoms, which makes screening and early detection so vital.

Colorectal cancer screening is important in the prevention and early detection of colorectal cancer. Screening can help find this cancer at an early stage when treatment often leads to a cure. There are a variety of screening procedures for colorectal cancer covered by Medicare that vary in technique and effectiveness. Engaging patients to participate in and comply with a screening regimen is critical to the ultimate success of colorectal cancer screening.

Colorectal cancer is preventable, treatable, and beatable. Encourage your patients to get screened today.

Did you know?

Medicare pays for colorectal cancer screenings for adult Medicare beneficiaries aged 50 and older, whether they are at no risk or at high risk for colon cancer. Coverage of screening colonoscopies has no age limitation.

You can view details for who is covered, the frequency as well as coding and billing for colorectal cancer screenings within the Medicare Learning Network's (MLN) Preventive Services education tool hereExternal Website. For more information, refer to the national coverage determination (NCD) for Colorectal Cancer Screenings Tests (NCD 210.3)External Website.

Additionally, the CDC created a brochure you can share with your patients listing the details and benefits of colorectal cancer screenings called Colorectal Cancer Screening Saves LivesExternal PDF.

This document was developed through the A/B Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC) Provider Outreach & Education (POE) Collaboration Team. This joint effort ensures consistent communication and education throughout the nation on a variety of topics and will assist the provider and physician community with information necessary to submit claims appropriately and receive proper payment in a timely manner.

Source: POE A/B MAC Collaboration Team

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