Cologuard, from Exact Sciences Corp, Madison, Wis, has received a positive review from the Center for Clinical Effectiveness of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association (BCBSA). BCBSA is a national federation of 36 Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies that insure one in three Americans. The recent announcement continues the positive momentum for Cologuard, as coverage increased by 67% in 2016. Nearly 163 million Americans are now in health plans that cover the noninvasive colorectal cancer screening option.
Kevin Conroy, Exact Sciences.
“Nearly two thirds of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies already cover Cologuard,” says Kevin Conroy, chairman and CEO of Exact Sciences. “This review affirms that Cologuard has a positive impact on health outcomes, and provides additional support for the remaining plans to offer their members our patient-friendly, noninvasive colon cancer screening option.”
BCBSA’s Center for Clinical Effectiveness is an organization that assesses the effectiveness of medical devices, procedures, and biological products through comprehensive reviews and clinical evidence. The BCBSA assessment follows other positive reviews of Cologuard, which is now included in the recommendations of the US Preventive Services Task Force, and the colorectal cancer screening guidelines of the American Cancer Society and the National Comprehensive Cancer Network. BCBSA does not endorse specific companies or products nor make coverage decisions.
Cologuard is indicated to screen adults of either sex, aged 50 years or older, who are at average risk for colorectal cancer. Cologuard is not for everyone and is not a replacement for diagnostic colonoscopy or surveillance colonoscopy in high-risk individuals.
More than 70% of Cologuard’s addressable population is now in a health plan that covers the test. Coverage has expanded by 62 million lives since June 2016, when Cologuard was included as an A-graded test in the final colorectal cancer screening recommendations of the US Preventive Services Task Force.
For more information, visit Exact Sciences.
