Blue Review
A newsletter for contracting institutional and professional providers

August 2020

FIT Kit May Be Best Choice for Colorectal Cancer Screening

Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States.1 About one-third of adults 50 years and older have not received the recommended screening.2 Consider screening our members who are 50 to 75 years old for colorectal cancer. Members in our Blue Choice Preferred PPOSM networks who have not been screened may qualify for a Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT) Kit at no extra charge. We are working with Home Access Health Corporation to provide in-home kits to encourage screening for our at-risk members. Screening with a FIT Kit may be a good option to close care gaps.

How it Works

  • We notify members that they will receive the test kit and that using it is voluntary
  • The member submits the test for processing to Home Access Health Corporation by Nov. 30, 2020
  • Home Access Health Corporation sends the results in three to four weeks to the member and the primary care provider(s) the member specifies

How You Can Help

  • Discuss the importance of screening and healthy lifestyle choices with our members
  • If one of our members receives a FIT Kit and calls your office with questions, discuss which screening test would be the best option
  • Document any test results in the patient’s medical record and discuss the results with our member

Other Benefits of the FIT Kit

  • No need for anesthesia or prep
  • Screen members at home who may be at risk during the COVID-19 pandemic
  • The U.S. Multi-Society Task Force on Colorectal Cancer3 considers annual FIT testing and colonoscopy every 10 years the two cornerstones of screening for those of average risk

1Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Basic Information About Colorectal Cancer, Feb. 10, 2020. https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/colorectal/basic_info/

2CDC,Screen for Life: National Colorectal Cancer Action Campaign, Feb. 10, 2020. https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/colorectal/sfl/index.htm

3American Gastroenterology Association, Colorectal Cancer Screening: Recommendations for Physicians and Patients From the U.S. Multi-Society Task Force on Colorectal Cancer, July 1, 2017. https://www.gastrojournal.org/article/S0016-5085(17)35599-3/abstract

The above material is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for the independent medical judgment of a physician or other health care provider. Physicians and other health care providers are encouraged to use their own medical judgment based upon all available information and the condition of the patient in determining the appropriate course of treatment. References to third party sources or organizations are not a representation, warranty or endorsement of such organizations. Any questions regarding those organizations should be addressed to them directly. The fact that a service or treatment is described in this material is not a guarantee that the service or treatment is a covered benefit and members should refer to their certificate of coverage for more details, including benefits, limitations and exclusions. Regardless of benefits, the final decision about any service or treatment is between the member and their health care provider