Cologuard??? No Thanks

Don M.

Don M.

SF VIP
Location
central Missouri
I'm sure that anyone who watches TV has seen these "Cologuard" ads, which claim to check for colon cancer. Do Not fall for this scam. It seems that there is a real good chance for misdiagnosis that could lead to some very expensive medical bills...which would probably not be covered by most insurance plans. I have had regular screenings from my PCP....just take a stool sample to the doctor, and get the results a few days later, at no additional charge. So, do not fall for this TV ad.

https://www.yahoo.com/finance/news/mailing-poop-may-seem-alternative-170448514.html
 

My PCP's medical group went from using a $20.00 postcard poop test to Cologuard a couple of years ago.

I didn't have any issues with the service or the results and my insurance paid the full cost.

My issue was the waste involved in going from a $20.00 test to a $649.00 test that essentially does the same thing. I'm sure that the medical group and the insurance company pay some sort of reduced negotiated rate but it still seems like a waste to me.

I was also surprised when I went on Medicare this year the need for a colorectal cancer screening was downplayed by the same PCP/medical group as something that they would do only if I requested it.

It's hard to know who to trust when it comes to any type of medical advice, procedure, or medication.

IMO they all act like a bunch of hogs at the trough.

images
 
Thank you for your warning Don M. When my husband had his colonoscopy 13 years ago it was almost $5000.00 then. It must be much more then that now. Ouch that kind of bill would be impossible for a lot of people to even pay it!

Ladies beware, similar problems occur with the very pricey 3D high tech mammograms. I had one which is free to me under my preventive tests part of my plan.
BUT, they were concerned about a fibrous area so also did an Ultra Sound. As soon as they did that, the medical codes and charges went from preventive to diagnostic and they sent me a bill for $900.00 just for the mammogram. I don't remember what they wanted me to pay for the Ultrasound.

I called and wrote letters and argued against this abusive billing practice. I sort of won, they did a compromise and my cost was reduced to $300 for the tests. But what a stressful, time consuming hassle to go through.
And there is no guarantee they will compromise when an over 5 thousand dollar colonoscopy is involved.
 

Last edited:
Just another scam for profit. Today, they'll sell anything, regardless of how useless it is.....especially in the medical field, since they can use fear as a selling point.
 
Never had a colonoscopy and don't intend to unless necessary. , Kaiser sends me an annual fecal occult test by mail that I take at home every year and get the results in a few days. The test has always been negative, if ever positive I would consider further testing.
 
I don't think I qualify for it anyway. I've had too many problems in that area. Might as well get the full scan.
 

You must log in or register to reply here.

Back
Top