Pennsylvania lowers free colon cancer screening age to 45
A new state law removes cost barriers for routine screenings, closing a coverage gap for those with state-regulated insurance.
By Pedro Tanaka ·
Pennsylvania residents with state-regulated health insurance can now receive colon cancer screenings at no cost starting at age 45. Previously, the minimum age for full coverage was 50. This change applies to plans sold on the Affordable Care Act marketplace and other state-regulated policies.
Gov. Josh Shapiro signed the bipartisan bill on Oct. 22. The law takes effect in December. Most state-regulated insurance plans must comply by 2028. Covered screenings include colonoscopies, stool test kits, and blood tests.
The move aligns state coverage with national medical guidelines. The American Cancer Society updated its recommendations in 2018 to start screenings at 45. The U.S. Preventative Services Task Force made the same recommendation in 2021. Federal agencies adopted these changes, requiring private insurers to cover screenings for eligible patients. However, a gap remained for those with state-regulated plans who were under 50 and had no family history of the disease.
Rep. Pat Gallagher, D-Philadelphia, was a lead sponsor of the bill. He is a colon cancer survivor diagnosed at age 45. Gallagher said his late-stage diagnosis required multiple surgeries, a temporary colostomy bag, and chemotherapy. His insurance paid close to $1 million for his care. He noted that a screening colonoscopy costs insurers an average of $2,500. “It’s one small step to a greater step to get people early detection,” Gallagher said. “And I keep going back to early detection, because it is a treatable, curable cancer if detected early.”
Rep. Jordan Harris, D-Philadelphia, also supported the measure. His wife, Tiffany Harris, died of colon cancer in 2024 at age 36. Harris stated that she was not considered high risk prior to her diagnosis. “I know what happens when this disease goes undetected for too long. No family in Pennsylvania should have to experience that same pain,” Harris said.
Gallagher plans to introduce legislation next term to lower the recommended minimum screening age further. He believes moving the threshold to 40 is achievable. “I don’t know if we’ll ever get to 35, at least not in my lifetime. I think that would be a Herculean lift,” Gallagher said. “But I do think we can go back and get it to 40, which I think is important.”
