Estimated life-years gained and resultant cost savings from follow-up colonoscopy after a positive multi-target stool DNA (mt-sDNA) test for colorectal cancer screening in commercially insured and Medicare populations.

Abstract

6642 Background: Although follow up colonoscopy (COL) after a positive stool-based colorectal cancer (CRC) screening test is necessary to complete the CRC screening process, follow-up COL rates remain suboptimal, especially among underserved populations. As of January 2023, federal policies require commercial insurers and Medicare to eliminate out of pocket costs for follow-up COL. To estimate the implications of this policy change, we compared the clinical and fiscal outcomes for a simulated cohort receiving a follow-up COL after a non-invasive CRC test ($0 cost sharing), compared to the same cohort not completing follow-up COL (status quo). Methods: Using the validated CRC-AIM model, we simulated a cohort of 6 million average-risk individuals who received mt-sDNA (commercial patients at age 45 and Medicare patients at age 65) and further analyzed only the population with positive mt-sDNA. Life-years gained, CRC incidence, CRC-related mortality and total costs of care (inclusive of CRC screening and treatment) were calculated for a cohort that underwent follow-up COL and compared these outcomes to that same cohort that did not complete follow-up COL. The cost of follow-up COL was assumed to be $1,576 for Medicare and $3,086 for commercially insured patients ($0 out of pocket costs for all). Results: Patients undergoing follow-up COL after a positive mt-sDNA experienced more life-years (83 per 1,000 commercially insured patients and 80 per 1,000 Medicare beneficiaries) compared to those who did not undergo follow-up COL. The follow-up COL resulted in reductions in CRC incidence and CRC mortality by 14% and 16% for commercial and 19% and 23% for Medicare beneficiaries, respectively. Compared to those patients with a mt-sDNA positive test result and did not complete follow-up COL, the total cost per patient for those receiving follow-up COL was $3,339 less for commercially insured ($15,690 – no follow up vs. $12,351 – follow up) and $4,382 less for Medicare beneficiaries ($19,337 – no follow up vs. $14,955 – follow up). Total spending for patients receiving follow-up COL was cost-saving when compared to no follow-up as long as the COL costs were less than $6,269 for commercial plans and $5,753 for Medicare. Conclusions: Completing a follow-up COL after a positive mt-sDNA screening saves lives, enhances equity, and lowers total expenditures. Thus, health care stakeholders should invest in efforts to identify and reduce barriers that ultimately lead to an increase uptake of this potentially lifesaving and cost-reducing intervention.