2017 HEDIS measure for cervical cancer screen has changed

There is an important change to the cytology and HPV co‑testing criteria for the cervical cancer screening for Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set® 2017 specifications. Testing performed subsequent to an initially ordered and resulted test (reflex testing) no longer meets criteria for this measure. With co‑testing, both the cytology and HPV test should “be performed (the samples are collected and both test are ordered, regardless of cytology results) on the same date of service”. The HEDIS measure counts women age 30 to 64 who had cervical cytology/human papillomavirus (HPV) co‑testing performed every five years. This is now the only criteria that is acceptable for co‑testing when evaluating this HEDIS® measure. So, when considering cervical cancer screening for your patients keep in mind that the 2017 HEDIS® specification for CCS states “Do not include reflex testing. In addition, if the medical record indicates the HPV test was performed only after determining the cytology result, this is considered reflex testing and does not meet criteria.”