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CDC COMMUNITY GUIDE: Cancer Prevention & Control, Client-Oriented Screening Interventions: Reducing Out-of-Pocket Costs: Breast Cancer

CDC

An Evidence-Based Practice

Description

Interventions to reduce client out-of-pocket costs attempt to minimize or remove economic barriers that make it difficult for clients to access cancer screening services. Costs can be reduced through a variety of approaches, including vouchers, reimbursements, reduction in co-pays, or adjustments in federal or state insurance coverage. Efforts to reduce client costs may be combined with measures to provide client education, information about program availability, or measures to reduce structural barriers.

The Community Preventive Services Task Force recommends reducing client out-of-pocket costs for breast cancer screening on the basis of sufficient evidence of effectiveness in increasing screening for breast cancer.

Goal / Mission

The goal of the interventions is to reduce client out-of-pocket costs to minimize or remove economic barriers that make it difficult for clients to access cancer screening services.

Impact

Costs can be reduced through a variety of approaches, including vouchers, reimbursements, reduction in co-pays, or adjustments in federal or state insurance coverage. Efforts to reduce client costs may be combined with client education, information about programs, or measures to reduce barriers.

Results / Accomplishments

Results from the Systematic Reviews:
Eight studies qualified for the original systematic review; no new studies were identified for the update.
• Mammography screening: median increase of 11.5 percentage points (interquartile interval [IQI]: 6.0-28.5; 8 studies).
• Six studies evaluated the extension of Medicare or state benefits to cover periodic mammography and two assessed the use of free client vouchers.
• Findings should be applicable to various populations and settings in which people would accept screening but have limited financial resources.

About this Promising Practice

Primary Contact
The Community Guide
1600 Clifton Rd, NE
MS E69
Atlanta, GA 30329
(404) 498-1827
communityguide@cdc.gov
https://www.thecommunityguide.org/
Topics
Health / Cancer
Health / Women's Health
Source
Community Guide Branch Epidemiology and Analysis Program Office, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Date of publication
Oct 2009
Location
USA
For more details
Target Audience
Adults, Women
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