Starting January 1, 2007, Medicare will waive the annual Part B deductible for certain colorectal cancer screening procedures covered under the program’s preventive services package. The waiver implements a requirement in the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005, said the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS Change Request 5127, July 21, 2006). Co-pay requirements will continue to apply.

Affected services are payable under the physician fee schedule and include:

• Flexible sigmoidoscopy (G0104).
• Colonoscopy (G0105 and G0121).
• Barium enemas (G0106 and G0120).

The policy change does not affect the fecal occult blood test covered under the colorectal cancer screening benefit. The test is payable under the Part B lab fee schedule, with no deductible or co-pay.

August 14, 2006 - Table of Contents

NIR August 14, 2006 (full PDF issue)

Medicare Lab Bidding Demo Set for April ’07 Launch

MD Specialties Aim for More Pathology Revenue

Medicare to Require Uniform Quality, E-Health Standards

Labs Included in Final E-Health Safe Harbors

Physician Specialties Gobble Up More of the Pathology Pie

CMS to Contractors: Get Ready for ‘Medically Unlikely’ Edits

1st Contract Awarded for Combined Part A/B Claims Processing

Medicare Hikes Inpatient PPS Rates, Starts DRG Changes

Deductible to Be Waived for Colorectal Cancer Screening