H.R. 1655House117th Congress (2021-2023)In Committee

Donald Payne Sr. Colorectal Cancer Detection Act of 2021

Introduced March 8, 2021

AI-Generated Summary

Updated February 7, 2026 at 11:52 PM UTC

The Donald Payne Sr. Colorectal Cancer Detection Act of 2021 amends the Social Security Act so Medicare will cover FDA‑approved blood‑based tests that screen for colorectal cancer. It defines a qualifying test, sets Medicare payment rates, and aligns screening frequency limits with existing tests to increase screening, especially in under‑screened communities of color and to offset COVID‑19 related declines.

Key Provisions

  • Adds a new category called “qualifying colorectal cancer screening blood‑based test” to Medicare coverage definitions.
  • Requires Medicare to pay for these FDA‑approved blood tests, with the payment amount set by the Secretary.
  • Applies the same frequency limits used for fecal‑occult blood tests to the new blood‑based tests.
  • Updates existing screening frequency rules to include the new blood tests and clarifies payment restrictions for colonoscopies.
  • Effective for tests performed more than six months after the law’s enactment.

Legislative Activity

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3 earlier actions
HouseCommittee Latest Action

Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

March 9, 2021

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

March 8, 2021

HouseCommittee

Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

March 8, 2021

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

March 8, 2021

HouseCommittee

Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

March 9, 2021

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued March 8, 2021

I

117th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 1655

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

March 8, 2021

Mr. Payne (for himself, Mr. Fitzpatrick, Ms. Spanberger, Mr. McEachin, Mr. Garamendi, Ms. Sewell, Mr. Danny K. Davis of Illinois, Mr. Hastings, Ms. Lee of California, Mr. Torres of New York, Ms. Bass, Ms. Pressley, Mr. Thompson of Mississippi, Mr. Perry, Mr. Meeks, Ms. Strickland, Mr. Butterfield, Mr. Lawson of Florida, Mrs. Watson Coleman, Ms. Johnson of Texas, Mr. Raskin, Ms. Adams, Ms. Clarke of New York, Ms. Wilson of Florida, Mr. Trone, Mrs. McBath, Mr. Sires, Mr. Rush, Ms. Norton, Ms. Kelly of Illinois, Mr. Johnson of Georgia, Mr. Rodney Davis of Illinois, Mr. Brown, Mr. Bishop of Georgia, Mr. Carson, Mr. Green of Texas, Mr. McKinley, Mr. Jeffries, Ms. Plaskett, Mrs. Beatty, Ms. Blunt Rochester, Mr. Cleaver, Ms. McCollum, Mr. Veasey, Ms. Williams of Georgia, Mr. Allred, and Mrs. Demings) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

A BILL

To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide coverage under the Medicare program for FDA-approved qualifying colorectal cancer screening blood-based tests, to increase participation in colorectal cancer screening in under-screened communities of color, to offset the COVID-19 pandemic driven declines in colorectal cancer screening, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Donald Payne Sr. Colorectal Cancer Detection Act of 2021.

2.

Medicare coverage for FDA-approved qualifying colorectal cancer screening blood-based tests

(a)

In general

Section 1861(pp) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395x(pp)) is amended—

(1)

in paragraph (1)—

(A)

by redesignating subparagraph (D) as subparagraph (E); and

(B)

by inserting after subparagraph (C) the following new subparagraph:

(D)

Qualifying colorectal cancer screening blood-based test.

; and

(2)

by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

(3)

The term qualifying colorectal cancer screening blood-based test means, with respect to a year, a screening blood-based test for the early detection of colorectal cancer furnished in the year that was marketed or used, as applicable, in accordance with the relevant provisions of section 353 of the Public Health Service Act or the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act more than 6 months before the beginning of the year.

.

(b)

Frequency limits for colorectal cancer screening tests and payment amount for qualifying colorectal cancer screening blood-Based tests

Section 1834(d) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395m(d)) is amended—

(1)

by amending clause (ii) of paragraph (1)(B) to read as follows:

(ii)

if the test is performed within—

(I)

the 11 months after a previous screening fecal-occult blood test or a previous qualifying colorectal cancer screening blood-based test;

(II)

the 35 months after a previous screening flexible sigmoidoscopy or a previous screening colonoscopy with adenoma findings;

(III)

the 59 months after a previous screening colonoscopy with small polyp findings; or

(IV)

the 119 months after a previous screening colonoscopy without adenoma findings or small polyp findings.

;

(2)

in paragraph (2)(E)(ii), by inserting or within the 35 months after a previous screening fecal-occult blood test or previous qualifying colorectal cancer screening blood-based test after sigmoidoscopy;

(3)

by amending subparagraph (E) of paragraph (3) to read as follows:

(E)

Frequency limit

No payment may be made under this part for a colorectal cancer screening test consisting of a screening colonoscopy—

(i)

if the procedure is performed within the 11 months after a previous screening fecal-occult blood test or previous qualifying colorectal cancer screening blood-based test;

(ii)

for individuals at high risk for colorectal cancer if the procedure is performed within the 23 months after a previous screening colonoscopy; or

(iii)

for individuals not at high risk for colorectal cancer if the procedure is performed within the 119 months after a previous screening colonoscopy or within the 47 months after a previous screening flexible sigmoidoscopy.

; and

(4)

by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

(4)

Qualifying colorectal cancer screening blood-based tests

(A)

Payment amount

The payment amount for colorectal cancer screening tests consisting of qualifying colorectal cancer screening blood-based tests shall be established by the Secretary.

(B)

Frequency limit

Paragraph (1)(B) shall apply to colorectal cancer screening tests consisting of qualifying colorectal cancer screening blood-based tests in the same manner as such paragraph applies to colorectal cancer screening tests consisting of fecal-occult blood tests.

.

(c)

Effective date

The amendments made by this section shall apply to colorectal cancer screening tests furnished in a year beginning more than 6 months after the date of the enactment of this Act.