October 5, 2023
One in eight women in the United States has a lifetime risk of getting breast cancer, according to Susan G. Komen. The American Cancer Society states that it is the second leading cause of cancer in women. Early detection is key to a better outcome for your patients, and you play an integral role by recommending regular screenings.
The Breast Cancer Screening (BCS) HEDIS ® star measure assesses female patients ages 50–74 who had a mammogram to screen for breast cancer in the past two years.
The National Committee for Quality Assurance allows patients to be excluded from the measure due to advanced illness and frailty. They acknowledge that services in this measure most likely would not benefit patients who are in declining health.
Review the BCS tip sheet to learn more about this measure and ways you can close gaps in care for patients. The tip sheet also covers information to include in medical records, codes to include on patient claims to exclude for mastectomy, and tips for talking with patients.
Sources:
Understanding Breast Cancer Risk | Susan G. Komen®
Breast Cancer Statistics | How Common Is Breast Cancer?
Healthcare Effectiveness Data Information Set. HEDIS® is a registered trademark of the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA).