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CMS updates Medicare Advantage Star Ratings program to include Cologuard
CMS included Cologuard, an FDA-approved, non-invasive colon cancer screening test created by Exact Sciences Corp., in its 2017 Medicare Advantage Star Ratings program, according to a recent press release.
“We are pleased that Cologuard has been included in the Star Ratings program, which is aimed at improving accountability, performance and quality in Medicare Advantage plans across the country,” Kevin Conroy, chairman and CEO of Exact Sciences, said in the release. “The incentives provided to insurers through the Star Ratings program also should help broaden adoption of Cologuard over time, as we work to make our test a standard of care for colon cancer screening.”
Medicare Advantage plans will receive quality credit for Cologuard tests completed from 2014 and can help increase their Star Ratings when their beneficiaries complete Cologuard. Including Cologuard in the program will create consistency with the Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS) quality ratings. These updates have the potential to positively impact the overall Star Ratings of Medicare Advantage plans.
“Cologuard is expanding the pool of patients who have been screened for colon cancer and maintaining very high levels of physician and patient satisfaction,” Conroy said. “Cologuard’s unique characteristics can help Medicare Advantage plans provide better colon cancer screening to their patients, while helping increase their Star Ratings.”
Disclosures: Conroy is the chairman and CEO of Exact Sciences.