The National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) has proposed changes to the recommended age ranges for breast and cervical cancer screening in the Health Plan Employer Data Set (HEDIS®). NCQA is accepting comments about these proposals until 5 pm on Wednesday, March 22.
The first proposed change would broaden the age window for breast cancer screening from 50 through 69 years to 40 through 74 years. The revised lower age limit would bring HEDIS into line with recommendations from the American Cancer Society and the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF). The increase in the upper age limit is based on a recommendation from the Technical Expert Panel and Committee on Performance Measures, which offers advice about HEDIS.
The second proposed change would raise the minimum age for cervical cancer screening from 18 years to 21 years, matching the recommendations of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the ACS, and the USPSTF.
HEDIS is the tool used by most of the healthcare industry to measure health plan performance. NCQA manages the evolution of HEDIS.
NCQA prefers to receive comments by email. Click here for the comment page.
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