The impact of increasing multitarget stool DNA use among colorectal cancer screeners in a self-insured US employer population

Background: In the United States (US), colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths. With the majority of the US population covered by employer-based health plans, employers can play a critical role in increasing CRC screening adherence, which may help avert CRC-relat...

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Main Authors: Joanne M Hathway, Lesley-Ann Miller-Wilson, Abhishek Sharma, Ivar S Jensen, Weiyu Yao, Sajjad Raza, Philip D Parks, Milton C Weinstein
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2021-01-01
Series:Journal of Market Access & Health Policy
Subjects:
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/20016689.2021.1948670
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author Joanne M Hathway
Lesley-Ann Miller-Wilson
Abhishek Sharma
Ivar S Jensen
Weiyu Yao
Sajjad Raza
Philip D Parks
Milton C Weinstein
author_facet Joanne M Hathway
Lesley-Ann Miller-Wilson
Abhishek Sharma
Ivar S Jensen
Weiyu Yao
Sajjad Raza
Philip D Parks
Milton C Weinstein
author_sort Joanne M Hathway
collection DOAJ
description Background: In the United States (US), colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths. With the majority of the US population covered by employer-based health plans, employers can play a critical role in increasing CRC screening adherence, which may help avert CRC-related deaths. Therefore, it is important for self-insured employers to consider the impact of appropriate utilization of CRC screening options. Objective: To evaluate the impact of increasing multitarget stool DNA [mt-sDNA (Cologuard®)] use among CRC screeners from the perspective of a US self-insured employer. Methods:A 5-year Markov model was developed to quantify the budget impact of increasing mt-sDNA from 6% to 15% among average-risk screeners using colonoscopy, fecal immunological test, and mt-sDNA. Data on direct medical costs were obtained from published literature, Medicare CPT codes, and the Healthcare cost and Utilization project. Indirect costs included productivity loss due to workplace absenteeism for CRC screening and treatment. Results: With a hypothetical population of 100,000 employees with screeners aged 50–64 years, compared to status quo, increased mt-sDNA utilization resulted in no differences in the numbers of cancers detected and the overall direct and indirect cost savings were ~$214,000 ($0.04 per-employee-per-month) over 5 years. Most of the savings were due to a reduction in the direct medical expenditure related to CRC screening, adverse events, and productivity loss due to colonoscopy screening. Similar results were observed in the model simulation among screeners aged 45–64 years. Conclusion: Increased utilization of mt-sDNA for CRC screening averts direct and indirect medical costs from a self-insured US employer perspective.
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spelling doaj-art-c095f2e435d34febb0188449d95dbad82025-08-20T02:54:40ZengMDPI AGJournal of Market Access & Health Policy2001-66892021-01-019110.1080/20016689.2021.19486701948670The impact of increasing multitarget stool DNA use among colorectal cancer screeners in a self-insured US employer populationJoanne M Hathway0Lesley-Ann Miller-Wilson1Abhishek Sharma2Ivar S Jensen3Weiyu Yao4Sajjad Raza5Philip D Parks6Milton C Weinstein7Precision Value & HealthExact Sciences CorporationPrecision Value & HealthPrecision Value & HealthPrecision Value & HealthPrecision Value & HealthExact Sciences CorporationHarvard T. H. Chan School of Public HealthBackground: In the United States (US), colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths. With the majority of the US population covered by employer-based health plans, employers can play a critical role in increasing CRC screening adherence, which may help avert CRC-related deaths. Therefore, it is important for self-insured employers to consider the impact of appropriate utilization of CRC screening options. Objective: To evaluate the impact of increasing multitarget stool DNA [mt-sDNA (Cologuard®)] use among CRC screeners from the perspective of a US self-insured employer. Methods:A 5-year Markov model was developed to quantify the budget impact of increasing mt-sDNA from 6% to 15% among average-risk screeners using colonoscopy, fecal immunological test, and mt-sDNA. Data on direct medical costs were obtained from published literature, Medicare CPT codes, and the Healthcare cost and Utilization project. Indirect costs included productivity loss due to workplace absenteeism for CRC screening and treatment. Results: With a hypothetical population of 100,000 employees with screeners aged 50–64 years, compared to status quo, increased mt-sDNA utilization resulted in no differences in the numbers of cancers detected and the overall direct and indirect cost savings were ~$214,000 ($0.04 per-employee-per-month) over 5 years. Most of the savings were due to a reduction in the direct medical expenditure related to CRC screening, adverse events, and productivity loss due to colonoscopy screening. Similar results were observed in the model simulation among screeners aged 45–64 years. Conclusion: Increased utilization of mt-sDNA for CRC screening averts direct and indirect medical costs from a self-insured US employer perspective.http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/20016689.2021.1948670colorectal cancerscreeningemployer-based insurancebudget impact
spellingShingle Joanne M Hathway
Lesley-Ann Miller-Wilson
Abhishek Sharma
Ivar S Jensen
Weiyu Yao
Sajjad Raza
Philip D Parks
Milton C Weinstein
The impact of increasing multitarget stool DNA use among colorectal cancer screeners in a self-insured US employer population
Journal of Market Access & Health Policy
colorectal cancer
screening
employer-based insurance
budget impact
title The impact of increasing multitarget stool DNA use among colorectal cancer screeners in a self-insured US employer population
title_full The impact of increasing multitarget stool DNA use among colorectal cancer screeners in a self-insured US employer population
title_fullStr The impact of increasing multitarget stool DNA use among colorectal cancer screeners in a self-insured US employer population
title_full_unstemmed The impact of increasing multitarget stool DNA use among colorectal cancer screeners in a self-insured US employer population
title_short The impact of increasing multitarget stool DNA use among colorectal cancer screeners in a self-insured US employer population
title_sort impact of increasing multitarget stool dna use among colorectal cancer screeners in a self insured us employer population
topic colorectal cancer
screening
employer-based insurance
budget impact
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/20016689.2021.1948670
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