The coverage went into effect Feb. 1 and is now available for all individuals enrolled in the Personal BluePlans plan. The payor had not previously covered the screenings for all its members under this plan. The screenings were covered for members at high risk of colorectal cancer due to family history or who demonstrated indications of possible cancer. Other members could have received coverage for the screenings through an optional benefit.
?We looked at this issue and determined that preventive screening to low risk individuals would be valuable,? says David Pankau, BlueCross BlueShield division president and COO in a prepared statement. ?If we are able to help even one person avoid cancer who normally would not have had the preventive screening because they thought they were low risk, it will be worthwhile. We are happy to set the standard in South Carolina for preventive colonoscopy screening.?
The guidelines for the coverage follow recommendations issued March 5 by the American Cancer Society, the U.S. Multi-Society Task Force on Colorectal Cancer and the American College of Radiology. The new guidelines are distinguished by “an emphasis on the importance and value of preventing colorectal cancer, which GI physicians applaud,” says Amy E. Foxx-Orenstein, DO, FACG, president of the American College of Gastroenterology in a statement.
The guidelines present colonoscopy as the preferred screening strategy for colorectal cancer; this is strongly supported by both the ACG and the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, which were members of the multi-society taskforce. There are also several tests are among the recommended alternatives, including stool tests that detect colorectal cancer but not its precursor, colon polyps, and structural examinations of the colon by endoscopic procedures such as flexible sigmoidoscopy and colonoscopy, as well as radiological examinations by either barium enema or CT colonography. The new guideline recognizes that, for flexible sigmoidoscopy, barium enema and CT colonography, a follow-up colonoscopy will be required if anything suspicious is discovered.
?It is our greatest hope that these new guidelines will contribute to the increased use of colorectal cancer screening tests to reduce the incidence of colorectal cancer, and thereby save lives,” says Grace H. Elta, MD, FASGE, the president of the ASGE.
