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Researcher Resources There are several sources of data regarding the use of screening mammography among women with Medicare and other relevant information that could assist researchers and others in efforts to promote appropriate screening and follow-up. This website provides information and resources for researchers interested in this topic. Medicare Claims Data CMS calculates mammography rates based on claims that have been submitted to Medicare. Files containing these rates for various years are provided in the "Mammography Claims Data Tables" section of this website (see the menu of pages on the left side of this screen). The following information describes the data in these files. Source: The mammography rates reported in the "Medicare Claims Data Tables" were calculated using Medicare claims for fee-for-service Medicare female beneficiaries. Highlights: Among women aged 65 or older, the national biennial mammography rate increased by 1.1 percentage points from 1999/2000 to 2000/2001. For 13 states, the increase in the mammography rate was 1.5% or greater. African-American beneficiaries were less likely to have received a mammogram than were Caucasian beneficiaries during 2000-2001, 41.6% vs.52.9%, respectively. Among women aged 50-67, the national biennial mammography rate increased by 0.5 percentage points form 1999/2000 to 2000/2001. For 11 states, the increase in the mammography rate was 1.0% or greater. Reports: The percentage of Medicare beneficiaries who receive a mammogram (screening or diagnostic) during a two-year period is reported for both women age 65 and older and for those aged 50-67, a HEDIS-like measure. Annual mammography rates are also reported. Two indicators of mammography are reported in the tables. One of the mammography measures is based on the 1999 HEDIS indicator for breast cancer screening. The second mammography measure is based on the 2002 HEDIS indicator for breast cancer screening. For 2002, the HEDIS numerator definition was revised and, unlike HEDIS 1999, does not include combinations of revenue center codes of 320 or 400 when billed along with specific diagnosis codes. Revenue center codes of 320 and 400 are coded to bill for other radiologic and imaging services. (Mammography claims are coded using revenue center codes of 401 for diagnostic, or 403 for screening mammography.) The elimination of these revenue center codes that are not specific to mammography, in combination with ICD-90CM diagnoses, is consistent with numerator specifications for mammography used by CMS prior to the analysis of biennial 1997-98 mammography data. Reanalysis of biennial 2000-01 mammography data with the HEDIS 2002 mammography measure indicates a decrease of 0.6 percent in the percent of eligible female beneficiaries age 65 years or older with mammography services paid by Medicare. Research and Demonstrations CMS sponsored a systematic review of interventions to promote the use of Medicare preventive benefits as part of its Healthy Aging Project. The report, Interventions that Increase the Utilization of Medicare-Funded Preventive Services for Persons Age 65 and Older, includes information on promoting mammography as well as other benefits and is available for downloading at the bottom of this page. CDC sponsors the Community Preventive Services Task Force, which also conducted a systematic review on interventions to promote mammography--this review is also available for downloading at the bottom of this page. The Benefits Improvement and Protection Act of 2000 required CMS to evaluate best practices and methods for reducing disparities in cancer prevention and treatment among racial and ethnic populations and conduct a demonstration based on this evidence. Links to this evidence report and information on this demonstration project are provided below. Several sources collect information on the use of mammography services and breast cancer prevalence. These include the Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey, which CMS administers, and CDC's Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System and National Health Interview Survey. The Cancer Control Planet website provides access to data and resources for researchers and program planners for the design, implementation, and evaluation of evidence-based programs. Links to these resources are provided below.
Page Last Modified: 05/12/2008 7:41:40 AM
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