Colorado Colorectal Screening Program

The Colorado Colorectal Screening Program has a signed contract for $2,759,942 from CDPHE for fiscal year 2011 (July 1, 2010 – June 30, 2011).  This is a substantially reduced funding level but the Program will continue to carry out its major functions of screening, patient navigation, and treatment across the state.    

Payment of services requires that a signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) be sent back to the Program. Your organization may need to send back 1, 2, or 3 MOUs - Screening, Treatment, and/or Patient Navigation - depending on the services your organization provides. 

Description

The Colorado Colorectal Screening Program provides funding to carry out colorectal screenings for legal residents of Colorado. The program was awarded monies through a competitive grants program through the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s Cancer, Cardiovascular Disease and Chronic Pulmonary Disease Competitive Grants Program, which utilizes a portion of the state’s tobacco tax revenue.

The University of Colorado Cancer Center (UCCC) at the Anschutz Medical Campus coordinates the program, which is based in over 65 community health clinics across Colorado. These community clinics will offer free endoscopic screenings to those who qualify.

Eligibility Criteria

• Age 50 or older (at average risk) or under 50 at increased risk for colorectal cancer (those having a personal or family history of cancer or polyps)
• Uninsured, or have insurance that does not cover ANY cost for endoscopic colorectal screening
• Household income below 250% of the federal poverty level
• Lawfully present in Colorado
• Patient in a partnering clinic
• Eligible for a colorectal screening according to American Cancer Society clinical guidelines

To locate clinics participating in the program in your area, please call 1-866-227-7914.

Goals and Progress

The Colorado Colorectal Screening Program, which began in January of 2006, seeks to screen over 11,400 Coloradans by the end 2010 for colorectal cancer, contributing substantially to the state’s overall goal of screening 75 percent of the total eligible population.  Through June of 2010, the program has completed approximately 11,083 screens and detected 93 cancers. The program is accompanied by an awareness campaign to encourage all Coloradans to get colorectal screening exams.

Program Budget & Treatment Reimbursement Revisions - effective 11/10/09

The Colorado Colorectal Screening Program has reduced its FY10 goal to provide colonoscopies for 2590 uninsured individuals after the CCPD Program reduced its annual budget by 32%, as a result of the statewide budget shortfall. Screening can no longer be provided for the UNDERinsured.  The Program will continue to provide colonoscopies to both asymptomatic and symptomatic eligible patients.  The Program will continue to pay for treatment of adverse events related to the endoscopy procedure as well as removal of precancerous large polyps, as well as provide patient navigation support to clinics. 

However, as of Tuesday, November 10, 2009, until the end of this fiscal year, the Program will no longer be able to pay for cancer treatment of symptomatic patients referred for colonoscopy through the Program and diagnosed with cancer.  Individuals who were symptomatic and received an endoscopic procedure between July 1, 2009 and November 9, 2009 are eligible for treatment funds.  Payment for cancer treatment of asymptomatic patients will continue until the very limited remaining treatment funds run out.

We encourage all of our partners to carry on with the great work that has been, and will be, accomplished and are grateful for the opportunity to continue providing colorectal screening services to the uninsured in Colorado.