Colorectal cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer death in Texas, but it’s also highly preventable through screening. A pair of recent measures – one each at the state and national levels – are designed to boost access to those screenings.
Senate Bill 1028 by Sen. Joan Huffman (R-Houston), which the Texas Legislature approved and Gov. Greg Abbott signed with support from the Texas Medical Association, furthers that goal by:
- Reducing the starting age for required coverage for screenings to 45 from 50;
- Aligning colorectal screening guidelines with the American Cancer Society recommended guidelines, which expand colorectal screening options for Texans; and
- Requiring minimum coverage to include a colonoscopy if a preliminary colorectal cancer screening comes back with positive cancer indicators.
The law, coauthored by Sen. Judith Zaffirini (D-Laredo), takes effect Sept. 1, but applies only to health plan benefits put in place or renewed after Jan. 1, 2022.
The new state law also aligns with a new recommendation from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force issued in May that calls for screenings to start at age 45. Since 2016, the task force has recommended they start at age 50. The new recommendation means that screenings are now automatically covered starting at age 45 under the Affordable Care Act at no cost to an insured patient.
The task force is an independent volunteer group of national experts in prevention and evidence-based medicine that makes recommendations about clinical preventive services, including screenings. Most members are practicing clinicians.
Texas Medical Association policy supports legislation requiring insurance coverage for colorectal cancer screening that follows the most recently established national guidelines. insurance coverage for colorectal cancer screening that follows the most recently established national guidelines.
Last Updated On
June 08, 2021
Originally Published On
June 08, 2021