Nancy Gardner Sewell Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act
Nancy Gardner Sewell Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act
Plain Language Summary
# Nancy Gardner Sewell Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act – Summary **What the bill does:** This bill would allow Medicare to cover and pay for multi-cancer early detection screening tests starting in 2028. These are blood tests or similar screening tools designed to detect multiple types of cancer early. The tests would need FDA approval and be deemed appropriate by Medicare officials.
Coverage would be limited to patients under a certain age (starting at 68 in 2028, increasing by one year annually) and people could receive one test every 11 months. **Who it affects:** This bill primarily affects Medicare beneficiaries who would gain access to a new type of cancer screening that currently isn't covered. It could also impact the medical testing industry and pharmaceutical companies developing these tests, as well as Medicare's budget if the screening becomes widely used. **Current status:** The bill is currently in committee and has not yet been voted on by the full Senate. It was introduced by Senator Mike Crapo (R-ID) in the 119th Congress.
CRS Official Summary
Nancy Gardner Sewell Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage ActThis bill allows, beginning in 2028, for Medicare coverage and payment for multi-cancer early detection screening tests that are approved by the Food and Drug Administration and that are used to screen for cancer across many cancer types, if the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services determines such coverage is appropriate. Coverage is limited to those under a certain age (age 68 in 2028, increased by one year every year thereafter) and to one test every 11 months.
Latest Action
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.