Deductible Details Explained: Colonoscopies and End-of-the-Year Coverage

Ask yourself if this scenario sounds familiar to you. It’s the end of the calendar year, and you are not sure if you have met your deductible. There are some health screenings that you have been delaying because you are not sure whether you want to invest the money. You wait, think, and wait some more. All of a sudden, the year is over. Your deductible has reset, and you never got your question answered.

For many adults who are considering a colonoscopy, this scenario is a reality. According to the American Cancer Society, about one-third of adults are not current on their colon screenings. A colonoscopy is the best defense against colon cancer, but thousands of men and women like you are in the same situation. They do not know how much their colonoscopy will cost, and they worry that it will be more expensive than they planned. Instead of taking action, they procrastinate and leave potentially hundreds of dollars of health care benefits on the table.

If you have questions about your health care deductible, here is a step-by-step process that you can use to guide you to making a wise decision.

1. Educate yourself on whether you are eligible for a colonoscopy. If you are at average risk for colon cancer, you should get your first screening colonoscopy at the age of 50. If you are African American, you should schedule your first colonoscopy at age 45. Having a family history of colon cancer or polyps or personal history of polyps also may lower the recommended age for your baseline colonoscopy, but you will need to talk to your doctor to determine your optimum age to be screened.
2. Know your interval for getting screened. If your first colonoscopy comes back normal, you will most likely not have to schedule another screening for another 10 years. The presence of risk factors and your family history could change this interval, so call your doctor to find out when you should schedule your next procedure.
3. Ask about your deductible. If you are due for a colonoscopy, the next step is to call your health care provider to verify the amount of your annual deductible. Call the Member Services number on your health care ID card and a representative can assist you. He or she can also tell you whether you have met your annual deductible. If you have not, you can find out how close you are to meeting your deductible.
4. Get a list of in-network facilities and providers. Insurance plans have specific facilities and providers that are part of their network. Using in-network facilities and providers can offer substantial savings. After you have selected a gastroenterologist to do your colonoscopy, ask your insurance provider if you need a referral from your primary care physician.
5. Take our Free Colonoscopy Quiz. Did you know that many adults qualify for a free screening colonoscopy? Depending on certain specifications, you could be eligible for a free screening colonoscopy, even if you have not met your deductible. Take the quiz by clicking here.
6. Call your gastroenterologist to schedule your colonoscopy. Now that you have your questions answered, what are you waiting for? You have taken the time to research, so now it is time to take action. Pick up the phone, and schedule your colonoscopy. Congratulations on making the most of your health care plan and helping prevent colon cancer!