Impact of Primary Care Providers and Health Insurance Type on Colorectal Cancer Screening in the United States

Am J Gastroenterol. 2024 Oct 1;119(10):2134-2137. doi: 10.14309/ajg.0000000000002809. Epub 2024 Apr 15.

Abstract

Introduction: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a major cause of cancer deaths. We evaluated the effect of health insurance type and primary care provider (PCP) access on CRC screening.

Methods: HINTS data were used to analyze CRC screening.

Results: Individuals aged 50 to 65 years had comparable screening rates across all insurance types. Beyond 65 years, individuals with Medicare or Medicare with private insurance were more likely to undergo screening than private insurance users. PCP access increased CRC screening rates. Among PCP users, Medicare, income, and smoking status influenced screening.

Discussion: Medicare and PCP access influence CRC screening. All individuals should be linked with PCPs.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Colorectal Neoplasms* / diagnosis
  • Colorectal Neoplasms* / epidemiology
  • Early Detection of Cancer* / statistics & numerical data
  • Female
  • Health Services Accessibility / statistics & numerical data
  • Humans
  • Insurance, Health* / statistics & numerical data
  • Male
  • Mass Screening / economics
  • Mass Screening / methods
  • Mass Screening / statistics & numerical data
  • Medicare* / statistics & numerical data
  • Middle Aged
  • Primary Health Care* / statistics & numerical data
  • United States / epidemiology