Bill addressing colonoscopy coverage loopholes advances in Nebraska Legislature

LINCOLN, Neb. (WOWT) – A bill that would protect insurance holders who undergo a colonoscopy by closing a coverage loophole is moving on in the Nebraska Legislature.

LB829, introduced by Sen. Carol Blood of Bellevue, passed the first of three rounds of voting Tuesday morning, 36-6. If passed, LB829 would guarantee insured patients would not be charged additional fees for a medical service — including when doctors remove a polyp during a colonoscopy.

Under the Affordable Care Act, a colonoscopy is considered a screening procedure — meaning there is no out-of-pocket cost charged to the patient. However, in Nebraska, it becomes a diagnostic procedure if a polyp is removed — costing the patient.

Sen. Blood shared her own experience with colleagues.

“Picture being in the pre-op room and somebody hands you a form that asks if a polyp or other concerning growth is discovered during the colonoscopy,” she said. “Do you want it removed as your insurance may not pay for that part of the procedure? That happens here in Nebraska every single day. In fact, that happened to me this past spring. You’re in your gown taking time off from work, scheduling this important procedure, based on your doctor’s recommendation. And they want you to decide if you should keep something scary in your body with unknown costs, which is the exact reason they do that procedure in the first place.”

The American Cancer Society says colon cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer-related deaths in both men and women in the United States.

Some opponents called the legislation a mandate on insurance, which Sen. Blood says is not — it only closes a loophole in Nebraska.

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