Looking for help with preventative colonoscopy screening

[u/Subject_Narwhal_6072]

So I visited my PCP looking for a referral due to an extensive family history of Colon Cancer (both of my parents were screened and had polyps removed, my Paternal aunt was diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer at age 40 and died shortly after. Other paternal aunt had polyps removed too. So I pushed my doctor with this information to give a referral for a preventative screening colonoscopy at an earlier age. Was referred to the GI place and did a consultation there. I was able to get a pre auth from insurance but it was mis-coded as a Diagnostic. I was hoping that due to my family history that I could get this as a preventative screening so I could have peace of mind. A friend of my girlfriend's had recently passed away from surprise colon cancer too in her early 40s so I was extremely on edge. I could use any advice or help with writing a letter to my PCP and the GI Doc to help get this coded as a preventative screen even though I am only 36, I feel like I am a high-risk individual due to my familiy history.

Any help would be appreciated with how I can write a letter or what I can say to help my case in getting this coded correctly for insurance. Thanks!

[u/chaos_monster89]

Take this as you will. I would advise that you look up colon cancer screening guidelines. You have a remote family history of a not first degree relative with cancer. Up to 40% of the US population can have polyps, having family history of polyps is not a guideline for early screening. You absolutely do not have a strong family history of colon cancer and will not meet the criteria for early screening. It sounds like you have a fair amount of health anxiety which you should probably look into for your own sake to prevent yourself from putting yourself through unneeded testing. That being said if you really want to go ahead with it, just tell them you're having rectal bleeding, that usually does the trick. Please keep in mind that the more people who schedule tests like these against guidelines and doctor's advise - the less resources are available for people who actually need it. Aka someone who might actually have colon cancer.

Source - a doctor