Category: Hospital

Phoebe Putney Health System, a not-for-profit integrated healthcare delivery system that serves more than 500,000 residents in Southwest Georgia, has been an integral partner in the Cancer Coalition of South Georgia’s efforts to address the comprehensive cancer control needs of the region. Phoebe partners with Albany Area Primary Health Care, a large FQHC serving a rural and underserved population, to deliver colorectal cancer screening and diagnostic colorectal services. Phoebe has implemented an extensive patient navigation program, conducts numerous community awareness and public education campaigns each year, and provides academic detailing in FQHCs and physician offices using evidence-based tools. Between 2007 to 2014, Phoebe provided 2,616 colonoscopies to uninsured patients, leading to the diagnosis of 14 early stage cancers and the removal of adenomatous polyps in over 1,000 patients.

Category: Physician Practice

Premier Medical Associates, the largest multi-specialty physician practice in the Greater Pittsburgh area, increased colorectal cancer screening among age-eligible patients from 57.5% in 2012 to 80% in December 2015. Premier transformed colorectal cancer screening in their practices by making systematic changes to recommend screening at all patient visits and offer patients a choice of colonoscopy or FIT. Premier also implemented a real-time screening registry, mailed FIT, reminders and recall, and assessment of provider screening performance, with celebrations each time a provider reaches 80%. These changes have led to an additional 4,828 patients screened for colorectal cancer since January 2013.

Category: Health Plan

The South Carolina Public Employee Benefit Authority (PEBA) provides health plan services to employees and retirees of South Carolina’s state agencies, public school districts, colleges and universities, and many local governments. In 2015, PEBA voted to remove all financial barriers to colorectal cancer screening for its 128,000 eligible members over 50 years of age in an effort to increase their screening rate (55% in 2015). PEBA removed all out-of-pocket cost for routine screenings and diagnostic colonoscopies for its members, including any fees associated with the consultation, prep kit, procedure and anesthesia. To promote this new benefit, PEBA is currently hosting regional lunch-and-learn workshops with local gastroenterologists, and has developed digital turnkey marketing and educational materials that employers can use at the workplace.

Category: Cancer Coalition/State Roundtable

Starting nearly 10 years ago, the Tina Kiser Cancer Concern Coalition (TKC3), under the direction of Dr. Michael Sarap, began a program to improve education to the public and to primary care providers about the value of colorectal cancer screening. Outreach efforts are concentrated in a four-part approach: community education, providing underserved patients with free and reduced cost screening tests, physician education, and awareness. These efforts have contributed to a remarkable decrease in late stage colorectal cancer rates. The late stage rate in Guernsey County has dropped from 60% of cases 10 years ago to 12% in 2014. TKC3 attributes much of its success to its strong partnerships with the community, the American Cancer Society, primary care and specialty providers, and to Southeastern Ohio Regional Medical Center, which has provided over 500 free colonoscopies.