Out-of-Pocket Costs for Colposcopy Among Commercially Insured Women From 2006 to 2019.

Graph Number of colposcopy... Graph Median out-of-pocket... Our findings suggest that, among commercially insured women aged 21-65 years, out-of-pocket costs for colposcopy were very common and significant and have increased over time. However, coverage without patient cost sharing is not mandated for colposcopy-an evidence-based, recommended procedure for women with an abnormal initial cervical cancer screening test result.[1] Cost barriers for care required to complete the cervical cancer screening process may lead to delays in or deferrals of clinically indicated care and may create financial hardship for individuals. We included colposcopy episodes associated with excisional procedures that are both diagnostic and therapeutic, because all colposcopies are aimed at cancer prevention and shortening time to diagnosis and treatment of cancer. [Extracted from the article]