October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Talking to your patients (between the ages of 40 to 49) about when to start breast cancer screening and how often to go for a mammogram is the first step toward early detection.
Women aged 50 to 54 years should be screened with a mammogram annually. For women aged 55 years and older, screening with a mammogram is recommended once every two years for those with normal risk or once a year for those with increased risk. Here are some tips for supporting your patients’ breast health:
- Have staff chart-prep and flag those patients that need an annual screening order placed during their visit.
- Help boost compliance by offering your patients a “standing order” for their annual screening mammogram, allowing them to complete the screening mammogram before their annual visit with you.
- Be sure your documentation meets CMS standards and that your provider credentials are attached to the correct ICD10 codes when ordering to ensure accurate data capture.
Additional resources for women can be found at the American Cancer Society website.
For men’s resources, visit: