The new guidelines will mean that insurance plan can no longer charge copayments or other fees for a number of preventive services including colorectal cancer screenings.  The regulation does not take effect until Sept. 23, and it only applies to plans that are new after that, meaning that people who stay on their existing plan won’t benefit from the change.

Colorectal Cancer Coalition President Carlea Bauman was invited to the event, which was attended by about 50 other health care leaders, doctors, and nurses.

During her remarks, Secretary Sebelius said that “[t]oo many Americans don’t get the preventive care they need to stay healthy.”  A conclusion the colorectal cancer community is well aware of with colorectal cancer continuing to be the third most commonly diagnosed cancer in men and women and the second most common cause of cancer death.

Interested in learning more about today’s guidelines and other provisions in the Affordable Care Act that will affect the colorectal cancer community?  Take a look at our webinar that provides an overview of the Affordable Care Act through a cancer lens.