Trends in Colorectal Cancer Test Use in the Medicare Population, 1998–2005
published online 08 May 2009.
Background
Colorectal cancer (CRC) screening has been covered under the Medicare program since 1998. No prior study has addressed the question of the completeness of CRC screening in the entire Medicare cohort.
Methods
In 2008, CRC test-use rates were analyzed for the national fee-for-service Medicare population using Medicare enrollment and claims data from 1998 through 2005. Annual test-use rates were calculated for fecal occult blood testing, sigmoidoscopy, barium enema, and colonoscopy for each year by the demographic characteristics of enrollees. A current-in-Medicare rate was calculated to assess the percentage of enrollees with CRC testing according to recommended intervals.
Results
Colonoscopy rates have increased every year since the introduction of CRC screening coverage. Test-use rates for all other test modalities have steadily decreased. The percentage of Medicare enrollees receiving appropriate tests has slowly increased. In 2005, 47% of enrollees aged ≥65 years and 33% of enrollees aged 50–64 years had claims indicating that they had been tested according to recommended intervals.
Conclusions
CRC test-use rates in the Medicare population are low. Disparities are apparent by age, race/ethnicity, gender, disability, income, and geographic residence. Much work remains to be done to increase testing to acceptable levels.
aThe Carolinas Center for Medical Excellence, Cary, North Carolina
bHealth Services and Economics Branch, Applied Research Program, Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda
cCenters for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Baltimore, Maryland
Address correspondence and reprint requests to: Anna P. Schenck, PhD, The Carolinas Center for Medical Excellence, 100 Regency Forest, Suite 200, Cary NC 27518-8598
The full text of this article is available via AJPM Online at www.ajpm-online.net.
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