Medicare Bill Eliminates Coinsurance for Colorectal Cancer Screenings Starting in 2026

The Colorectal Cancer Payment Fairness Act is pretty straightforward: it changes how Medicare pays for certain colorectal cancer screening tests by eliminating the patient’s out-of-pocket share (coinsurance) for these specific preventative services. The bill essentially cleans up the timeline for when cost-sharing ends and makes sure that Medicare covers 100% of the cost for these screenings starting in 2026.

The Fine Print: What Changes Now?

If you’re on Medicare, you know that even for preventative care, sometimes you get hit with a 20% coinsurance bill. This bill targets that specific cost barrier for colorectal cancer screenings. Right now, there was a confusing deadline in the existing law—January 1, 2030—that governed when this coinsurance requirement would stop applying. This new Act removes that existing deadline entirely, replacing it with a clear, accelerated timeline. It also updates the current coverage rules to run through the end of 2025.

Zero Dollar Screenings: The 2026 Shift

The biggest takeaway here is the financial relief. Under the new rules laid out in Section 2, starting in 2026, Medicare will cover 100 percent of the cost for these specific colorectal cancer screening tests. What does that mean for the average person? It means that if you’re a Medicare beneficiary due for a covered screening—whether you’re a retired teacher, a small business owner, or still working part-time—you won't owe any coinsurance for that specific preventative procedure. This removes a significant financial friction point that often keeps people from getting tested, even when they know they should.

Why This Matters in the Real World

Think about it this way: Colorectal cancer is often highly treatable when caught early, but screening rates can lag, often due to cost concerns. For someone living on a fixed income, even a 20% coinsurance bill for a procedure can be a major deterrent. This bill ensures that for these specific screenings, the financial decision is completely taken off the table starting in 2026. While this is great news for patients, it does mean the Medicare program itself will absorb the full cost of these preventative procedures earlier than previously scheduled, potentially increasing the program’s overall expenditure on preventative services.