Improving Cancer Screenings and Prevention 

Among Age-Eligible Medicaid Managed Care (MMC) and Child Health Plus (CHP) Members

Program Overview

In New York State (NYS), cancer is one of the most common chronic diseases and is the second leading cause of death. Regular screenings for colorectal, cervical, and breast cancers are important to detect these cancers early, when they are most easily treated. The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is a safe and effective way to protect against HPV infections. HPV can cause different types of cancers including cervical, vaginal, vulvar, throat, penile, and anal cancers—and is the number one cause for cervical cancer. 

The NYS Department of Health (NYSDOH) recognizes the importance of cancer screenings and the HPV vaccine for cancer prevention among the MMC and CHP population. The current NYS Performance Improvement Project (PIP), Improving Cancer Screenings and Prevention Among Age-Eligible MMC and CHP Members, seeks to improve these rates by promoting evidence-based cancer screening and prevention guidelines and quality improvement interventions.

  • Improving Rates of Screening for Colorectal, Breast, and Cervical Cancers

    In NYS, a review of the 2021 NYS MMC rates for breast cancer screening (BCS), colorectal cancer screening (COL), and cervical cancer screening (CCS) indicated statewide averages lower than 70% for each measure. There was also a decrease in the rates for all three measures from 2019 to 2021, likely due to factors related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

  • Improving Rates of HPV Vaccinations

    The average HPV vaccination rate for NYS MMC and CHP plan members in 2021 was only 46%, which decreased from 50% in 2019 (also likely due to disruptions in preventive care related to the COVID-19 pandemic).

  • Provider Reference Guides

Cancer Screening Improvement Strategies for Providers

Evidence-Based Intervention Planning Guides

Client (Patient) Reminder Planning Guide Chart

Source: U. S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/CDC.gov

Reducing Structural Barriers Planning Guide Chart

Source: U. S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/CDC.gov

Cancer Screening Change Packages

The Cancer Screening Change Packages are quality improvement strategies to help support the delivery of cancer screening services that have received A or B recommendations from the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF). Focus areas include:

  • Social Determinants of Health
  • Individual and Community Awareness
  • Community-Clinical Linkages
  • Capacity Building for Providers and Staff Screening Policies, Procedures, and Practices Follow-up and Referral 

Strategies for Improving HPV Vaccinations

Immunization Quality Improvement for Providers (IQIP)

IQIP promotes and supports implementation of provider-level strategies, designed to help increase on-time vaccination of children and adolescents, such as:

HPV Provider Toolkit

Implement these practical and proven strategies to help increase your HPV vaccination rates: