10 Oct Exact Sciences’ colon cancer screening test now covered by Medicare
By Kathleen Gallagher, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Madison-based Exact Sciences Corp.’s noninvasive, colon cancer screening test is now being covered for Medicare patients, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services said late Thursday.
The decision, which was widely expected, means that Medicare patients will now be able to, under the supervision of their doctors, have their use of the DNA-based test paid for every three years. To be eligible, patients must be between the ages of 50 and 85 and have no signs of colon cancer, according to the agency’s final decision memo.
“We are extremely pleased that Medicare patients across the country will now be entitled to a Cologuard test, which may be a lifesaver,” said Kevin T. Conroy, Exact’s chief executive officer.
“The decision will give Medicare’s 50 million patients with “access to this accurate screening option,” he said. Read more …