Briefing highlight:
- The recommendations of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force and others do not address technical issues in insurance or claims processing, according to Kevin Lucia. The federal government should offer more guidance to providers and insurers on coding methods and cost sharing, he said. When patients go in for colonoscopies, they unknowingly get nailed with cost sharing if a polyp is found, he said, adding that adjustments to the coding system may be needed to solve some of the problems.
- Only two states are currently meeting targets for colorectal screenings, said Lynda Flowers. Disparities in the use of preventive services also exist based on income, race, education and health insurance status.
- Seventy percent of deaths in the United States are from preventable causes, but only three percent of national health expenditures are allocated towards prevention, said Judy Monroe.
- Missouri has a budget of $2 million for 115 local health departments, which is only $6.08 per capita, Julie Eckstein said. With additional resources, these local health departments could focus on population health, case management, health education, improving health literacy and reducing health disparities.
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