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Using Core Public Health Functions to Promote <i>BRCA</i> Best Practices among Health Plans

2011; Karger Publishers; Volume: 15; Issue: 2 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1159/000334267

1662-8063

Debra Duquette, Karen Lewis, Jennifer McLosky, Janice Bach,

Nutrition, Genetics, and Disease

<i>Objective:</i> The Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) Cancer Genomics Program sought to increase the number of health plans with a written policy aligned with the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) Grade B Recommendation stating that women whose family history is associated with an increased risk for deleterious mutations in <i>BRCA1</i> or <i>BRCA2</i> be referred for genetic counseling and evaluation for <i>BRCA</i> testing. <i>Methods:</i> Through a cooperative agreement with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, MDCH with health plan partners utilized multiple methods (i.e. surveillance, education, federal and state policies, partnerships, and dissemination) to increase the number of health plans with a written policy aligned with the USPSTF Grade B <i>BRCA</i> Recommendation between 2008 and 2011. <i>Results:</i> Since 2008, the number of health plans that have policies consistent with USPSTF Grade B <i>BRCA</i> Recommendation in Michigan increased from 4 to 11. These 11 health plans provide coverage to over 7 million Michigan residents. Honors were bestowed by MDCH to these 11 health plans for their exemplary written policies. <i>Conclusions:</i> MDCH has implemented a novel and effective approach to promote cancer genomics best practices through health plan policies that serves as a model for federal and state agencies.