STATE OF WASHINGTON
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
Prevention and Community Health
Office of Healthy Communities
Post Office Box 47855
Olympia, Washington 98504-7855
MEMORANDUM
DATE:
February 24, 2015
TO:
BCCHP Providers and Prime Contractors
RE:
Colorectal Cancer Screening Program Policy Changes
FROM:
Megan Celedonia, BCCHP Program Manager
The Breast, Cervical and Colon Health Program (BCCHP) uses funding from a few sources to pay for
screening and diagnostic testing related to breast, cervical and colon cancer. There are currently no
changes associated with the breast and cervical services components of the program.
This memo relates to program changes associated with the colorectal cancer screening program.
Funding to support this portion of the program ends on June 29, 2015. As a result, we are informing
of you three important changes to our current policies:
1. All FOBT or FIT tests kits must be returned by a date set by your regional Prime
Contractor (PC). Your PC will let you know what cutoff date they have identified for receiving
FOBT and FIT test results. This will allow ample time for diagnostic colonoscopies to be
scheduled if the stool test is positive.
2. All colonoscopies must be scheduled and completed by June 27. This will ensure that all
follow-up has been completed by the end of June.
3. We will accept referrals for diagnostic colonoscopies starting now through June 15. The
referrals are only allowed for average risk patients who have had a positive FOBT or FIT. The
positive FOBT/FIT may have been any time in the last contract year (July 2014 – June 2015).
The diagnostic colonoscopy must be scheduled and completed by June 27.
a. We cannot accept referrals for diagnostic colonoscopies for patients who are increased
or high risk or have GI symptoms. This is consistent with our current average risk
policies.
b. We are able to help cover out-of-pocket expenses for average risk patients with
insurance who have had a positive stool test and need a diagnostic colonoscopy.
Remember:
 All colorectal services (screening and diagnostics) must be completed by June 27, 2015.
 BCCHP will not be able to pay for screening or diagnostic services that occur after June 29,
2015.
 Your regional prime contractor will be in touch with details on program transitions.
 Contact your Prime Contractor directly with any questions pertaining to these changes.
Sincerely,
Megan Celedonia
Insert PC contact information or attach personal correspondence