CMS includes Cologuard in its Medicare Advantage Star Ratings program

In accordance to a recent press release, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) included Cologuard, an FDA-approved, non-invasive colon cancer screening test developed by Exact Sciences Corp., in its 2017 Medicare Advantage Star Ratings program.

“We’re glad that Cologuard has been included in the Star Ratings program, which is targeted at improving accountability, performance and quality in Medicare Advantage plans across the country,” Kevin Conroy, chairman and CEO of Exact Sciences, stated in the release. “The incentives provided to insurers through the Star Ratings program also should assist broaden adoption of Cologuard over time, as we work to make our test a standard of care for colon cancer screening.”
Quality credit will be received by Medicare Advantage plans for Cologuard tests completed from the year of 2014 and can assist to increase their Star Ratings when their beneficiaries complete Cologuard. Including Cologuard in the program will develop consistency with the Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS) quality ratings. These updates have the possibility to positively affect the overall Star Ratings of Medicare Advantage plans.
Conroy said, “Cologuard is expanding the pool of sufferers who’ve been screened for colon cancer and maintaining very high levels of physician and sufferer satisfaction. Cologuard’s distinctive characteristics can help Medicare Advantage plans provide better colon cancer screening to their sufferer, while assisting to increase their Star Ratings.”