National CRC Screening Summit | 2025-Lin (GI Leap Version)

Lin (GI Leap Version)

Pdf Summary

This confidential document, authored by Brenna Lin from NCQA in September 2025, outlines the development of a new HEDIS measure focused on improving follow-up after colorectal cancer (CRC) screening. NCQA’s mission is to enhance healthcare quality via measurement, transparency, and accountability, influencing federal and state programs and convening stakeholders to close care gaps.<br /><br />The project aims to create an evidence-based, actionable quality measure that holds health plans accountable for timely follow-up of abnormal colorectal cancer screening results among members aged 45-75. This complements the existing HEDIS colorectal cancer screening measure that tracks patients who have received appropriate screening tests (e.g., FOBT, FIT, colonoscopy).<br /><br />The development process includes literature review, clinical expert collaboration, field testing, stakeholder input, and several committee reviews and public comment periods, projecting first public reporting in HEDIS MY2027. Key considerations include defining the follow-up time frame, eligible screening tests, criteria for follow-up triggering results, population exclusions, and data sources.<br /><br />NCQA highlights challenges in measurement implementation: inconsistent availability and structure of electronic health record (EHR) data, use of non-standardized terminologies, and limited clinician data capture, especially patient-reported outcomes. Advances in digital health infrastructure and interoperability standards like FHIR and LOINC can facilitate more accurate and efficient data collection.<br /><br />The expert advisors and advisory panel comprise oncologists, informaticists, health plan representatives, and advocacy groups who provide clinical guidance and support. The measure targets health plans across commercial, Medicare, and Medicaid lines, aiming to drive improvement through programs, incentives, and enhanced data systems.<br /><br />In summary, this document details the NCQA-led initiative to develop a rigorous, digitally enabled CRC follow-up quality measure to improve cancer outcomes and health plan accountability, aligned with evolving data standards and healthcare reforms.

Keywords

NCQA

HEDIS

colorectal cancer screening

follow-up measure

quality measurement

health plans accountability

electronic health records

FHIR

LOINC

digital health infrastructure