Cost-effectiveness of a multitarget stool DNA test for colorectal cancer screening of Medicare beneficiaries Journal Article


Authors: Naber, S. K.; Knudsen, A. B.; Zauber, A. G.; Rutter, C. M.; Fischer, S. E.; Pabiniak, C. J.; Soto, B.; Kuntz, K. M.; Lansdorp-Vogelaar, I.
Article Title: Cost-effectiveness of a multitarget stool DNA test for colorectal cancer screening of Medicare beneficiaries
Abstract: Background In 2014, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) began covering a multitarget stool DNA (mtSDNA) test for colorectal cancer (CRC) screening of Medicare beneficiaries. In this study, we evaluated whether mtSDNA testing is a cost-effective alternative to other CRC screening strategies reimbursed by CMS, and if not, under what conditions it could be. Methods We use three independently-developed microsimulation models to simulate a cohort of previously unscreened US 65-year-olds who are screened with triennial mtSDNA testing, or one of six other reimbursed screening strategies. Main outcome measures are discounted life-years gained (LYG) and lifetime costs (CMS perspective), threshold reimbursement rates, and threshold adherence rates. Outcomes are expressed as the median and range across models. Results Compared to no screening, triennial mtSDNA screening resulted in 82 (range: 79–88) LYG per 1,000 simulated individuals. This was more than for five-yearly sigmoidoscopy (80 (range: 71–89) LYG), but fewer than for every other simulated strategy. At its 2017 reimbursement rate of $512, mtSDNA was the most costly strategy, and even if adherence were 30% higher than with other strategies, it would not be a cost-effective alternative. At a substantially reduced reimbursement rate ($6–18), two models found that triennial mtSDNA testing was an efficient and potentially cost-effective screening option. Conclusions Compared to no screening, triennial mtSDNA screening reduces CRC incidence and mortality at acceptable costs. However, compared to nearly all other CRC screening strategies reimbursed by CMS it is less effective and considerably more costly, making it an inefficient screening option. © 2019 Naber et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
Journal Title: PLoS ONE
Volume: 14
Issue: 9
ISSN: 1932-6203
Publisher: Public Library of Science  
Date Published: 2019-09-04
Start Page: e0220234
Language: English
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0220234
PUBMED: 31483796
PROVIDER: scopus
PMCID: PMC6726189
DOI/URL:
Notes: Source: Scopus
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  1. Ann G Zauber
    315 Zauber
  2. Brittany Soto
    1 Soto