Coverage of Colonoscopies Under the Affordable Care Act’s Prevention Benefit

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) requires private health insurers to cover recommended preventive services without any patient cost-sharing, such as copays and deductibles. The ACA requires coverage of services with an “A” or “B” recommendation from the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), an independent panel of clinicians and scientists. Recommended services include screening for diabetes, obesity, cholesterol, and various cancers including colorectal cancer, as well as counseling for drug and tobacco use and healthy eating, among others. This requirement took effect for new plans sold or renewed on or after September 23, 2010. An estimated 54 million Americans received expanded coverage of preventive services under the ACA in 2011.

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