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Abstract
Objectives In 2012, the American Cancer Society updated cervical cancer screening guidelines to recommend cytologic screening every 3 years or HPV testing with cytology (co-testing) every 5 years in women age 30–65. We aim to examine the use of cervical cancer screening among average-risk Medicaid beneficiaries.
Methods The MarketScan database was used to identify average-risk women age 30–64 with Medicaid coverage who underwent index cervical cancer screening in 2013–2016. Subsequent screening rates within 3 years of the index test were examined. Demographic factors associated with early re-screening and rates of annual gynecologic examinations were also examined. Patients with cervical dysplasia, HPV, or unsatisfactory results were excluded.
Results Overall, 265,083 patients were included. 43.1% (N=114,312) had index co-testing, 55.2% (N=146,309) had cytology, and 1.7% (N=4,462) had primary HPV testing. The cumulative incidence of early, repeat cervical cancer screening was 3.9% at 12mo, 22.7% at 24mo, and 33.3% at 36mo. During the period from 12–24 months after follow-up, 20.9% of women underwent repeat screening, while 19.4% underwent screening 24–36 months after the index test. Early re-testing was more common in younger patients and non-White patients (p<0.001). of patients who did not undergo repeat cervical cancer screening, a yearly gynecologic examination was performed in only 16,627 (10.7%) during year 2 and in 11,116 (8.8%) patients during year 3.
Cervical cancer screening by month
Conclusions Among average-risk Medicaid beneficiaries, cervical cancer screening is frequently overutilized. Women who do not undergo cervical cancer screening are unlikely to receive routine gynecologic care.