ADVOCACY SPOTLIGHT


Fighting Colorectal Cancer ASCA supports legislation to promote screening BY BILL PRENTICE


March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. According to the National Cancer Institute, colon can- cer is the third most com-


monly diagnosed cancer affecting more than 132,700 Americans and killing nearly 50,000 in 2015. While this num- ber has declined in recent years, the Cen- ters for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released research showing that if all precancerous polyps were identified and removed before becoming cancer- ous, the number of new colorectal cancer cases would reduce by 76 to 90 percent. The US Preventive Services Task


Force recommends that all Ameri- cans ages 50 and older undergo regu- lar colonoscopies in accordance with their doctor’s recommendations. This simple procedure has the potential to eliminate colorectal cancer. If a polyp is found, a doctor could quickly and easily remove it. Medicare waives coinsurance and


deductibles for colonoscopies because the procedure is classified as preventa- tive care. When a polyp is discovered and removed, however, the procedure is reclassified as therapeutic for Medi- care billing purposes and patients are required to pay the coinsurance. This is problematic for many seniors who are on a fixed income. These Americans cannot afford a surprise medical bill and this reclassification could discour- age them from accessing additional preventive care. For this


reason, ASCA supports


the Removing Barriers to Colorectal Cancer Screening Act. This legislation would eliminate unexpected costs for Medicare beneficiaries when a polyp is discovered and removed, ensuring that unexpected copays do not deter a patient from having the screening performed. By eliminating financial


22 ASC FOCUS MARCH 2016


A colonoscopy is a simple procedure, relatively inexpensive, and could save you and your family a lot of pain and suffering in the long run.”


—Bill Prentice, ASCA


barriers, this legislation would attain higher screening rates and reduce the incidence of colorectal cancer. As of December 2015, the legislation had


Track the Latest Regulatory and Legislative News for ASCs


Visit ASCA’s web site every week to stay up to date on the latest government affairs news affecting the ASC industry. Every week, ASCA’s Government Affairs Update newsletter is posted online for ASCA members to read. The weekly newsletter tracks and analyzes the latest legislative and regulatory developments concerning ASCs.


www.ascassociation.org/ GovtAffairsUpdate


reached 205 cosponsors in the House and 28 in the Senate. Along with advocating for this legis-


lation, ASCA also will be doing a num- ber of other activities to raise colorectal cancer awareness: ■


This month, we will launch a social media campaign directed at poli- cymakers and patients encouraging them to learn more about the disease and how easy prevention can be.


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We will continue to partner with cancer advocacy groups and other stakeholders in order to strengthen our voice on Capitol Hill.


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In recent years, ASCA has partnered with various members of Congress to film public service announcements encouraging patients to undergo colorectal cancer screenings. We will promote these videos and encourage other advocacy groups to use them as well. To watch the videos, go to www.ascassociation.org/advancing- surgicalcare/home. The Patient Protection and Afford-


able Care Act requires private insur- ance companies to cover colonosco- pies as preventive care, which means you or your loved ones will not face additional costs associated with the procedure, and ASCA encourages Medicare to provide the same benefit. A colonoscopy is a simple procedure, relatively inexpensive, and could save you and your family a lot of pain and suffering in the long run. Learn more at http://tinyurl.com/h9546yr. Colorectal cancer is a tragic disease,


but better communication about the importance of prevention and taking advantage of simple procedures can save countless lives.


Bill Prentice is ASCA’s chief executive officer. Write him at wprentice@ascassociation.org.


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