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October 2021

Encourage eligible Medicare Advantage patients to get screened for colorectal cancer

Colorectal cancer is the third leading cause of cancer death for both men and women in the United States, according to the American Cancer Society. Screening, early detection and treatments are effective in reducing deaths from this cancer.

The Colorectal Cancer Screening, or COL, HEDIS® measure (also a Medicare Star Ratings measure) assesses patients ages 50 to 75 who had appropriate screenings for colorectal cancer.

Colonoscopy is considered the “gold standard” for colorectal cancer screening. There are alternative options for patients who are hesitant to have one.

Read the Colorectal Cancer Screening tip sheet to learn about this measure, including what information to include in medical records, codes for patient claims and tips for talking with patients.

HEDIS®, which stands for Healthcare Effectiveness Data Information Set, is a registered trademark of the National Committee for Quality Assurance.

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*CPT codes, descriptions and two-digit numeric modifiers only are copyright 2020 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.