The Massachusetts Medical Society is grateful to Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts and its leadership for responding to our concerns and that of our patients and our health care teams by pausing enforcement of its recent policy changes regarding
coverage of conscious sedation and full anesthesia for colonoscopy and endoscopy procedures.
These diagnostic procedures are medically necessary and potentially lifesaving, and especially important with increasing rates of colon cancer amongst young people. Patients should have agency, with input from their trusted physician and care team, over
the method of sedation used, a key step in helping to alleviate apprehension and fear that for many patients could be a barrier to getting a procedure done. Appropriate sedation also allows gastroenterologists to perform a full colonoscopy, thereby
increasing the accuracy of the procedure.
We’re facing very real access and staffing challenges in the health care system. The BCBSMA decision to pause enforcement of this policy will avert unnecessary barriers for patients and an increased workload for providers.
The Medical Society is encouraged by the collaboration between all parties and will continue to be a voice for patients and physicians in efforts to repair and rebuild our health care system to meet the needs of all patients in the Commonwealth.
-Barbara S. Spivak, MD, President, Massachusetts Medical Society
