Nancy Gardner Sewell Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act

The bill amends Title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide Medicare coverage for multi‑cancer early detection screening tests . A test is defined as a blood‑based or other biological sample test that can detect multiple cancer types across organ sites and is cleared or approved under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. Coverage is limited to tests the Secretary determines are reasonable and necessary for early detection and appropriate for Medicare Part A or Part B beneficiaries. Payment for a covered test is set equal to the current payment for a multi‑target stool DNA test before January 1, 2031, and thereafter to the lesser of that amount or the payment specified in § 1834A. No payment may be made for a test furnished to an individual who is already at the age threshold for the year or who received a test in the previous 11 months. If a test receives an A or B rating from the USPSTF, the age and prior‑test limitations do not apply. The bill includes conforming amendments to other Medicare sections to maintain consistent coverage language. It explicitly states that coverage of a multi‑cancer test does not affect coverage for other cancer screenings such as breast, cervical, colorectal, lung, or prostate, nor does it affect the use of other tests as diagnostic follow‑ups. Overall, the legislation expands Medicare’s preventive services to include comprehensive cancer screening while maintaining cost controls and clear eligibility criteria.