CT Colonography Now Included in 2017 HEDIS Quality Measures: A Giant Step Forward for Patient-Centered Care

CT Colonography (known asvirtual colonoscopy) is now included in the 2017 Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS) quality measures for colorectal cancer screening. More than 90 percent of America's health plans measure quality based on HEDIS criteria. Health care providers, systems and plans can now receive quality credit when patients are screened via CT colonography.“HEDIS rates providers and systems on screening compliance. CT colonography is minimally invasive, does not require sedation and patients can go back to daily activities after the exam. This will attract more people to be screened, save lives and promote higher patient satisfaction,” said Judy Yee, MD, chair of the American College of Radiology Colon Cancer Committee.“In the bigger picture, patient satisfaction helps determine reimbursement under alternative payment models and promotes patient-centered care. The recently released HEDIS update, which includes CT colonography, is a victory for patients and providers.” The HEDIS 2017 manuals, including the technical specifications were published October 3 by theNational Committee for Quality Assurance(NCQA). The updated NCQA colorectal cancer screening measures bring HEDIS into step with colorectal cancer screening guidelines of the American Cancer Society and the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF). Recent USPSTF colorectal cancer (CRC) screeningrecommendationsassigned an“A” grade to colorectal cancer ...
Source: American College of Radiology - Category: Radiology Source Type: news