Photo Credit: Md Babul Hosen
The following is a summary of “Member Adherence to a Health Insurer-Sponsored Gap Closure Program Using Multi-Target Stool DNA Test for Colorectal Cancer Screening,” published in the December 2024 issue of Primary Care by Greene et al.
Researchers conducted a retrospective study to assess member adherence to a mail-based, insurer-sponsored gap closure program for colorectal cancer (CRC) screening using multi-target stool DNA (mt-sDNA) tests.
They analyzed data from Exact Sciences Laboratories LLC and mass-mailed mt-sDNA orders from a Medicare Advantage Insurance Plan (03/01/2023–06/30/2023). Adherence and time to test return were assessed, with multivariable regression used to evaluate their association with patient characteristics.
The results showed that among 3,201 member-patients (86.6% aged 65-75 years, 58.7% female), the adherence rate was 49.4%, with a mean time to test return of 25.5 days. After multivariable adjustment, the odds of test return were higher in 65- to 75-year-olds [odds ratio (OR)=1.59], those in small towns (OR=1.43), and those receiving digital outreach (OR=4.31). Time to test return was shorter in 65- to 75-year-olds than in 45- to 64-year-olds.
They found that mass-mailed mt-sDNA tests for CRC screening had an adherence rate of about 50% in the Medicare Advantage population. Higher test return rates were associated with digital outreach, particularly through SMS and email.
Source: journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/21501319241305958
