Women’s Health and Diabetes Initiatives for FEP Members

  • August 16, 2018

    This month Premera’s Quality Member Engagement Team is sending letters to Federal Employee Program (FEP) members in Alaska and eastern Washington who are overdue for preventive screenings. We’re focusing on appointments for cervical cancer screening and/or breast cancer screening, and HbA1C testing for patients with diabetes.

    Women’s Care Gap Mailing Campaign: cervical and breast cancer screenings

    We’re educating and reminding our members when they’re due for important screenings. For cervical cancer screening, we’re asking members to schedule an appointment with their provider to receive the screening or discuss other options based on family and personal health history. For breast cancer screening, we’re encouraging members to schedule with an in-network mammography facility.

    Women aged 50-65 will receive a dual-reminder letter if they are due for both measures.

    Cervical cancer screening

    Cervical cancer is considered one of the most preventable types of cancer with appropriate guideline-based screening. Keep in mind:

    1. For the healthy population of women without a history of abnormal pap smears and with adequate previous screening, screening should only be completed between the ages of 21 and 64.
    2. Patients age 21-29 should have a Pap test alone every 3 years.
    3. Patients age 30-64 are recommended to have a Pap test every 3 years or a Pap test with HPV testing every 5 years.
    4. This is a hybrid measure; documentation in the medical record must include both a note indicating the date of when the cervical cytology was performed and the result of the exam to count as complete.
    5. Biopsies, inadequate samples or results that state “no cervical cells present” isn’t considered an appropriate screening.

    Breast cancer screening

    Patients age 50-74 should receive a screening mammogram once every 2 years. Learn more about breast cancer screening.

    HbA1C testing for patients with diabetes

    Because HbA1C testing is important for our members with diabetes, we’re reminding them of the need for ongoing monitoring. Based on their care plan, we’re asking members to schedule an appointment with their provider to complete the test or discuss other options.

    Individuals aged 18-75 with a diagnosis of diabetes, should receive a hemoglobin A1C test once every 12 months.

    Get more information on HbA1C testing for patients with diabetes.

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