On Friday, July 29, the V-BID Center director, Dr. A. Mark Fendrick, spoke at the University of Michigan Internal Medicine Grand Rounds. Dr. Fendrick’s presentation, “Eliminating Financial Barriers to Colorectal Cancer Screening: When Free Isn’t Really Free”, highlighted barriers to care and ongoing efforts to reduce out-of-pocket costs for necessary follow-up after initial cancer screening, which could increase screening uptake, enhance equity, and ultimately save lives.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services  proposed earlier this month that a follow-up colonoscopy to an at-home test be considered a preventive service, which means that cost sharing would be waived for people with Medicare. The announcement followed media attention and research that highlights the coverage gap for cancer screening follow-up.  

Dr. Fendrick’s presentation and associated resources are available below.