November 1, 2018
Premera is partnering with BioIQ to send home test kits to approximately 10,000 members to test for early signs of colon cancer. The Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT) kits will be specific to members with a gap in care as defined by the HEDIS Colorectal Cancer Screening measure.
The purpose of this initiative is to make it easier to receive this important screening. For members in eastern Washington and Alaska, physical proximity to services is a barrier. Mailing these test kits to members’ homes enables them to complete the colorectal cancer screening, mail back the kit and receive results within weeks, all without having to leave home.
In late October, Federal Employee Program and Alaska fully insured members received a home test kit with instructions on how to submit their specimen for analysis. BioIQ, in coordination with LabCorp, sends the results to the member and their attributed primary care physician. The letter that accompanies the results are clear that a critical result is not a diagnosis, but an indicator to seek care from a physician.
This is an optional program, however Premera has seen a relatively high return rate in areas where location may be a barrier.
Your office may receive results for a patient, and if considered a critical result, we recommend contacting your patient to discuss next steps. If you have questions on this program, contact ProviderClinicalConsulting@Premera.com