Colorectal Cancer Policy

As a Fight CRC Catalyst grantee, Arkansas successfully passed legislation in 2021 to lower the colorectal cancer screening age to 45 for those at average risk and removed out of pocket costs for patients needing a colonoscopy after an abnormal non-invasive screening test. The legislation also requires that every health plan issued in the state to cover without any cost sharing a colorectal cancer screening test assigned either a grade of A or a grade of B by the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF).

Colorectal Cancer Policy

As a Fight CRC Catalyst grantee, California successfully passed legislation in 2021 to remove out of pocket costs for Californians needing a colonoscopy after an abnormal non-invasive screening test. The legislation also requires that every health plan issued in the state to cover without any cost sharing a colorectal cancer screening test assigned either a grade of A or a grade of B by the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF).

Colorectal Cancer Policy

As a Fight CRC Catalyst grantee, Colorado introduced legislation to lower the colorectal cancer screening age to 45 for those at average risk and removed out of pocket costs for patients needing a colonoscopy after an abnormal non-invasive screening test. The bill successfully passed the House and had strong support in both chambers of the legislature, but unfortunately the governor opposed it, and it was unable to move forward. However, existing Colorado law requires insurers to cover the total cost of the preventive health care services outlined by the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF).

Colorectal Cancer Policy

As a Fight CRC Catalyst grantee, Georgia is working to secure state funding for a campaign to bring awareness to the signs and symptoms of colorectal cancer, and to create a Special Commission on Cancer Care Access to help increase access to colorectal cancer screening across Georgia.

Georgia state law requires every health benefit policy to provide coverage for colorectal cancer screening in accordance with the most recently published guidelines and recommendations established by the American Cancer Society, in consultation with the American College of Gastroenterology and the American College of Radiology.

Colorectal Cancer Policy

Fight CRC Catalyst grantees in Hawaii are working to ensure that uninsured and underinsured Hawaiians do not face out-of-pocket costs for colonoscopy following an abnormal non-invasive colorectal cancer screening test. In Hawaii, health insurance plans are required by law to cover colorectal cancer screenings based on the recommendations of the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF).

Colorectal Cancer Policy

As a Fight CRC Catalyst grantee, Illinois is working to secure dedicated funding for colorectal cancer screening in the state’s budget, including funding for patient navigation.

Colorectal Cancer Policy

As a Fight CRC Catalyst grantee, Indiana successfully passed legislation in 2022 that eliminated cost sharing for all colorectal cancer screening including colonoscopy following an abnormal non-invasive screening test. This built on a law that was passed in 2020 that required insurance companies to cover colonoscopies at age 45 instead of the previously recommended 50.

Colorectal Cancer Policy

As a Fight CRC Catalyst grantee, Kentucky successfully became the first state to adopt a pharmacy protocol that allows pharmacists to produce colorectal cancer education, and when appropriate, initiative non-invasive colorectal cancer screening. Grantees in Kentucky also successfully worked to ensure access to colorectal cancer screening and genetic testing in Kentucky’s Medicaid program.

Colorectal Cancer Policy

As a Fight CRC Catalyst grantee, Louisiana engaged their state’s Payer’s Council, a group of the largest health insurers in the state and commissioned a report comparing the colorectal cancer screening coverage policies of the two largest insurers. They then used that report to engage the insurers directly to urge them to strengthen their policies. The grantees in Louisiana also created educational material with information on colorectal cancer screening that they sent out to over 3,000 primary care physicians in the state.

Louisiana state law requires state regulated health plans to cover “routine colorectal cancer screening” in accordance with the most recently published recommendations established by the American College of Gastroenterology, in consultation with the American Cancer Society, for the ages, family histories, and frequencies referenced in such recommendations.

Colorectal Cancer Policy

As a Fight CRC Catalyst grantee, Mississippi is convening a group of committed stakeholders from across the state to develop an action plan to increase access to colorectal cancer screening for Mississippians.

Colorectal Cancer Policy

As a Fight CRC Catalyst grantee, Missouri is working to increase colorectal cancer screening by allowing pharmacists to provide education and information, and when appropriate, provide non-invasive colorectal cancer screening options to eligible patients. Missouri state law requires all health insurance policies providing coverage to any resident of Missouri must provide coverage for colorectal cancer screening in accordance with the current American Cancer Society guidelines.

Colorectal Cancer Policy

As a Fight CRC Catalyst grantee, Nebraska introduced legislation to ensure access to colorectal cancer screening beginning at age 45 for those at average risk and remove out of pocket costs for colonoscopy following an abnormal non-invasive screening test. Unfortunately, the bill did not advance. Nebraska state law requires state regulated health plans (except for short-term health plans) and any self-funded employee benefit plan to include coverage for colorectal cancer screening. Screening coverage includes a maximum of one screening fecal occult blood test annually and a flexible sigmoidoscopy every five years, a colonoscopy every ten years, or a barium enema every five to ten years, or any combination, or the most reliable, medically recognized screening test available.

Colorectal Cancer Policy

As a Fight CRC Catalyst grantee, Nevada is working to increase screening for low income, uninsured and other medically underserved populations by ensuring that Nevada Medicaid covers all available colorectal cancer screening modalities. Nevada state law requires a health care plan issued by a managed care organization that provides coverage for the treatment of colorectal cancer to provide coverage for colorectal cancer screening in accordance with American Cancer Society guidelines or other guidelines or reports concerning colorectal cancer screening which are published by nationally recognized professional organizations, and which include current supporting scientific data.

Colorectal Cancer Policy

As a Fight CRC Catalyst grantee, New Jersey passed legislation in 2022 that required health insurers to cover colorectal cancer screenings recommended by the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) and eliminate cost-sharing for required follow-up colonoscopies after an abnormal non-invasive screening test.

Colorectal Cancer Policy

As a Fight CRC Catalyst grantee, New York passed legislation in 2022 that ensures colorectal cancer screening coverage for New Yorkers at average-risk starting at age 45, and ensure that state regulated insurance plans cover, with no cost-sharing, follow-up colonoscopies after an abnormal non-invasive stool test.

Colorectal Cancer Policy

As a Fight CRC Catalyst grantee, Rhode Island passed legislation in 2021 to remove out-of-pocket costs for patients needing a colonoscopy following an abnormal noninvasive screening test. The bill was named after Senator Maryellen Goodwin, a long-time member of the Rhode Island State Legislature and champion for access to healthcare who passed away from colorectal cancer in April 2023.

Colorectal Cancer Policy

As a Fight CRC Catalyst grantee, Texas passed legislation in 2021 to ensure access to colorectal cancer screening coverage for Texans at average-risk starting at age 45, and ensure that state-regulated insurance plans cover, with no cost-sharing, follow-up colonoscopies after an abnormal non-invasive stool test.

Colorectal Cancer Policy

In 2024, Fight CRC Catalyst grantee passed legislation to remove out-of-pocket costs for patients needing a colonoscopy following an abnormal noninvasive screening test. The legislation also requires health insurers to cover colorectal cancer screenings recommended by the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF).

Colorectal Cancer Policy

As a Fight CRC Catalyst grantee, West Virginia is convening a group of committed stakeholders from across the state to develop an action plan to increase access to colorectal cancer screening for uninsured West Virginians.