Colorectal Cancer Screening

80.6 - Colorectal Cancer Screening (Rev. 1, 10-01-03) See the Medicare Benefit Policy Manual, Chapter 15, "Covered Medical and Other Health Services," §80.5, for coverage of colorectal rectal screening services. Effective for services furnished on or after January 1, 1998, payment may be made for colorectal cancer screening for the early detection of cancer. For screening colonoscopy services (one of the types of services included in this benefit) prior to July 2001, coverage was limited to high-risk individuals. For services July 1, 2001, and later, screening colonoscopies are covered for individuals not at high risk. Screening colonoscopies are not payable to the SNF. Screening colonoscopies are only covered when rendered in a hospital or CAH. For all other colorectal screening services payment is made under the MPFS or the clinical diagnostic laboratory fee schedule based on the service rendered.