04 Apr Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services includes Exact Sciences’ Cologuard in updated Medicare Advantage Star Ratings
Exact Sciences Corp. today announced that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) included Cologuard® in its updated Medicare Advantage Star Ratings program. Medicare Advantage plans now can help increase their Star Ratings when their beneficiaries complete Cologuard, Exact Sciences’ non-invasive colon cancer screening test.
“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,” said Kevin Conroy, chairman and CEO of Exact Sciences. “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.”
Cologuard’s inclusion in the 2018 Medicare Advantage Star Ratings program creates consistency with the Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS) quality ratings. Medicare Advantage plans will receive quality credit for Cologuard tests completed in 2014, 2015, 2016 and beyond. These updates may have a positive impact on 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,” Mr. Conroy said. “These factors are central to the Star Ratings program and, as a result, are important to Medicare Advantage plans. Cologuard’s unique characteristics can help Medicare Advantage plans provide better colon cancer screening to their patients, while helping increase their Star Ratings.”