Quality Programs

Encourage Eligible Patients to Get Screened for Colorectal Cancer

October 3, 2024
 

According to the American Cancer Society, colorectal cancer is a top leading cause of cancer death for both men and women in the United States. More than one-half of all cases and deaths are attributable to modifiable risk factors, such as smoking, an unhealthy diet, high alcohol consumption, physical inactivity, and excess body weight, and thus potentially preventable.1 Colorectal cancer morbidity and mortality can also be mitigated through appropriate screening and surveillance.2

The Colorectal Cancer Screening (COL) HEDIS® measure assesses patients ages 45 to 75 who had appropriate screenings for colorectal cancer.

Colonoscopy is the gold standard for colorectal cancer screening. There are alternative options for patients who are hesitant to have one.

Read the Colorectal Cancer Screening tip sheet to learn about this measure, including what information to include in medical records, codes for patient claims, and tips for how to engage with patients on completing their screenings.

Please reach out to ProviderClinicalConsulting@Premera.com if you have questions.

Source: Colorectal cancer statistics, 2020 – Siegel – 2020 – CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians – Wiley Online Library

1Islami F, Goding Sauer A, Miller KD, et al. Proportion and number of cancer cases and deaths attributable to potentially modifiable risk factors in the United States. CA Cancer J Clin. 2018;68:31-54.

2Winawer SJ, Zauber AG. The advanced adenoma as the primary target of screening. Gastrointest Endosc Clin N Am. 2002;12:1-9, v.

Healthcare Effectiveness Data Information Set (HEDIS®) is a registered trademark of the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA).