
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.
According to representatives of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, STD testing is one of the most effective ways to stop the spread of STD's.
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