Screening for STD's to be Covered by Insurance Plans

The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is considering adding several new screening tests for sexually transmitted diseases (STD) for the elderly and disabled Americans which would be covered under government-funded Medicare health insurance plans. HIV testing is already covered by insurance plans and now health officials are thinking of adding syphilis, Chlamydia, gonorrhea and hepatitis B testing to this list.

This move comes after a study that Americans have a longer life expectancy and remain sexually active for longer periods. This revelation could mean that there is high probability of the disease being spread in populations which is generally not targeted by preventive groups.