Patients, Fearing Pricey Follow-Ups, May Shy Away From Some Colon Cancer Tests

This week, I answered a grab bag of reader questions about insurance coverage for colorectal cancer screening, hospital facility fees and the tax treatment of annual fees charged by concierge medical practices.

Q. A stool-based DNA test to screen for colon cancer is available that is readily paid for by health plans, including Medicare. But if I have a positive Cologuard test result, I’d have to pay several hundred dollars for a regular diagnostic colonoscopy. Doesn’t this discourage people from getting screened for colon cancer, which is the goal, after all?