SPRINGFIELD (WGEM) – The Illinois state Senate unanimously passed a bill Wednesday requiring insurance companies cover all colonoscopies deemed medically necessary.

Insurers are currently only required to cover the procedure if it’s part of a follow-up exam recommended by a primary care physician. The bill would require coverage if a patient displays signs or symptoms of colon cancer or has an existing colon condition regardless of age.

“What should not be a barrier is us having access to insurance that will cover it because we know if we catch this disease early, we can save lives, so I encourage the chamber to support this very important measure. It’s common sense. We can save lives,” said state Sen. Willie Preston, D-Chicago, the bill’s Senate sponsor.

The state House of Representatives passed the bill with near unanimous support on April 19 with state Rep. Jeff Keicher, R-Sycamore, voting “present.” In addition to being a lawmaker, Keicher works in the insurance industry.

The Senate did slightly change the bill, adding an amendment to change the effective date to from Jan. 1, 2025 to Jan. 1, 2026. This means the bill has to head back to the House.

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