Cologuard
 

Saw all the ads on tv and primary care ordered one for me. $649 billed to Medicare.
The results were positive and colonoscopy was needed.
The gastro Doctor gave me a look over her glasses like are you kidding. Hinted that a great number of results are false positive.
Had the procedure and pollops were benign.
So go for the colonoscopy first and save anxiety of false results.

Sounds like good advice. Glad it turned out well for you.

After 75 colonoscopy usually are no longer needed, unless you have Polyps. Either way Medicare will pay no matter how old you are

My Gastroenterologist said the same thing. He doesn't recommend it because there are too many false positives. Just get regular colonoscopies.

I thought the "positive" was just to show there was something suspicious that needed further examination.

In your case, if my assumption was correct, then the positive wasn't false at all. It showed there was something that needed further examination. The polyps.

Personally though I'd go for the colonoscopy. Had one once so far, it was the most traumatic lead-up to a nothing-burger I'd ever experienced. The prep was truly the worst part, plus getting my blood pressure down while I was in the waiting room before they wheeled me into the procedure room.

I walked out of there like a champ, no problems, no discomfort, nothing. I still hate the whole thing, but it won't ever scare me again now that I've seen for myself how much of "absolutely no big deal" it really is.

From the Cologuard Website: What does a positive result mean? A negative result?
A positive result does not necessarily mean that you have cancer. It means that Cologuard detected DNA and/or hemoglobin biomarkers in the stool which are associated with colon cancer or precancer. False positives and false negatives occur with Cologuard and appropriate follow-up is important. Patients with a positive result should have a diagnostic colonoscopy. Patients with a negative diagnostic colonoscopy following a positive Cologuard result do not require additional clinical evaluation.

A negative result means that Cologuard did not detect significant levels of DNA and/or hemoglobin biomarkers in the stool which are associated with colon cancer or precancer. False positives and false negatives occur with Cologuard and appropriate follow-up is important. If you have a negative result, you should continue in a screening program appropriate for you, recommended by your doctor. Cologuard is recommended by the American Cancer Society every 3 years.

This is the route I have chosen for a long time. For me, I choose to Bet My Life On This Test. It may not work for others and I understand that. I had one Colonoscopy Many "Moons" Ago. It was not a thrill for me. Cologuard #1. If I'm wrong, oh well! My Doctor speaks highly of this alternative.

At 72 I've had my last colonoscopy

Things can happen in the small intestines too, neither of those tests will detect that. I'm having the pillcam next week. Pillcam is only necessary in certain cases. Prep not quite as bad as for regular colonoscopy!

Has anyone NOT GOTTEN a positive result from cologuard?
Sounds like a good money making deal.

Have used a similar product that my physician provides, at least 4 tests over the last 4 years, all negative, still due for one more colonoscopy, next year.

I did, got a negative. Meaning 97% assurance all is well. Easier and more convenient than a colostomy but a tad disgusting.

Yes, my friend got a negative result.

Don't you hate it when someone suggests using Google to answer a basic question. I guess they do it because a lot of basic questions can be answered by just looking for answers.

What is the false positive rate for Cologuard?

answer 13%

That was easy.

Definitely better than a colostomy! :icon_wink:

Pls do a google to understand the difference between a colonoscopy and a colostomy..

I don't know how it works in Florida. In GA if you are under Medicare age and have work issued health insurance and have a positive Colorguard, the coding for the colonoscopy will be "diagnostic colonoscopy or positive colorguard". This means you have to meet your out of pocket deductible first. Most insurance will pay for a "screening colonoscopy", meaning that you either never had a colonoscopy before or you have had a negative colonoscopy in the past. So, according to GI doctors I know in GA, it is better to get a colonoscopy so it can be coded as "screening" as long as you meet the criteria I listed above. Now if you ever had a history of polyps, you will always be coded under history of polyps. So it will always be considered a diagnostic colonoscopy going forward in most cases. Now, if you go in for a "screening colonoscopy" and they find and remove a polyp, call your insurance company (under Medicare age) and let them know you had no history of polyps prior and it was a "screening colonoscopy" and most likely that will not change the coding to diagnostic and it will be covered under your preventative care. Now, things might have changed regarding this so this is just a little background on it.

If I made a living performing colonoscopies I would not be touting Cologuard. 13% positive would not be a big enough set off for the 87% negative. However, at least the 13% would now be getting a colonoscopy

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I did one just a month ago and was negative; procedure is pretty easy but pays to read the instruction manual (yep, a manual) a couple of times to make CERTAIN you do it correctly.

Yes, probably is a money maker. But then what isn't anymore?

Saw on tv a Dr. reported that MRI's are now so accurate that they can perform "virtual" colonoscopies cheaper and nearly as accurately as the real one. Medicare won't cover it......big surprise. Medicare for all......hah

I'm taking the pipe between Thanksgiving and Christmas when we are up North--looking forward to it NOT

Well as an excellent source of accurate information I have always recommended "I saw a guy on tv" or you can do a medical literature search using google scholar or Medline where you will find things like this:

"Current Status of Magnetic Resonance Colonography For Screen and Diagnosis of Colorectal Cancer" published in Sep 2018 which concludes

Perhaps it is scientific consensus and data which Medicare uses to decide whether they should pay for a test. I, and this is only an opinion, do not think Medicare should pay for a test which is not suitable. YMMV.
I am not sure why taking a shot at Medicare for All is included in your post as it has nothing at all to do with whether an MRI is a good test for colorectal screening.

It makes sense to me that Medicare won't pay for a virtual colonoscopy because, if they find polyps, then you need to get a regular colonoscopy to have them removed. So, you have greatly increased the screening costs, by adding another expensive procedure.