HARRISBURG – The PA House approved a bill that would update insurance coverage for colorectal cancer screenings in the state. Current insurance law requires health insurance coverage for routine colorectal cancer screenings starting at age 50, but this is based on American Cancer Society standards published in 2008. Multiple other states have updated to the more recent American Cancer Society guidelines from 2018. These new recommendations state that people should be screened starting at age 45 rather than 50. The PA Department of Health also recommends that people begin screening at age 45. House Bill 1123 would update current law to reduce the age when colorectal cancer screenings are covered to 45 from 50, update the guidelines referenced in the law to the most recent edition, and update the tests covered by insurance to those recommended by the guidelines. The bill goes to the state Senate.
