Patterns of cervical cancer screening among Medicaid beneficiaries.

Objective: Cervical cancer screening guidelines have evolved over time with the incorporation of human papillomavirus (HPV) testing along with cytology. Current screening guidelines recommend cytological screening every 3 years or HPV testing with or without cytology every 5 years in women age 30-65 years. We examined the use of cervical cancer screening among average-risk Medicaid beneficiaries.

Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Population: Women age 30-64 years at average risk for cervical cancer who underwent cervical cancer screening with cytology, co-testing or primary HPV testing from 2013 to 2016.

Methods: The IBM Watson Health Multi-State Medicaid MarketScan Database was used. Subsequent screening rates within 3 years of the index test were examined.

Main Outcome Measure: The rate of repeat cervical cancer screening was analysed using a cumulative incidence function.

Results: A total of 265 083 patients were identified. Overall, 43.1% (n = 114 312) had index co-testing, 55.2% (n = 146 309) had cytology and 1.7% (n = 4462) had primary HPV testing. The cumulative incidence of early, repeat cervical cancer screening was 3.9% at 12 months, 22.7% at 24 months and 33.3% at 36 months. During the period from 12 to 24 months after follow up, 20.9% of women underwent repeat screening while 19.4% underwent repeat screening 24-36 months after the index test. Among women who did not undergo repeat cervical cancer screening, a yearly gynaecological examination was performed in only 16 627 (10.7%) during year 2 and in 11 116 (8.8%) during year 3.

Conclusion: Among average-risk Medicaid beneficiaries, cervical cancer screening is frequently overused. Women who do not undergo cervical cancer screening are unlikely to undergo routine gynaecological examination.

Tweetable Abstract: Among average-risk Medicaid beneficiaries, cervical cancer screening is frequently overused.