New HEDIS Toolkit: Cervical Cancer Screening (CCS-E)

Date: March 23, 2026

Attention: All Providers

Texas Children’s Health Plan (TCHP) has developed a new Cervical Cancer Screening (CCS‑E) Toolkit to equip providers with the resources needed to increase screening rates and identify cervical cancer earlier. This toolkit provides a concise overview of the measure, evidence‑based recommendations, and practical steps to reduce care gaps and improve outcomes for members.

You can access the new Cervical Cancer Screening (CCS-E) HEDIS Toolkit here.

Who Is Eligible?

Persons 21–64 years of age who are recommended for routine cervical cancer screening.

Why This Matters

Cervical cancer is highly preventable and detectable in its early stages through regular screening. Routine screening has contributed to significant declines in cervical cancer incidence and mortality in the United States.

• The current national incidence rate is 6.9 cases per 100,000 women per year.
• The mortality rate is 2.3 deaths per 100,000 women per year.
• The National Cancer Institute estimated 13,240 new cervical cancer cases and 4,170 related deaths in 2018.

Early identification through cervical cytology and/or HPV testing remains essential to preventing progression to invasive disease.

Measure Description (CCSE)

This measure reflects the percentage of persons 21-64 years of age who were recommended for routine cervical cancer screening and completed screening using any of the following criteria:

• Persons 21-64 years of age who were recommended for routine cervical cancer screening and had cervical cytology performed within the last 3 years.
• Persons 30-64 years of age who were recommended for routine cervical cancer screening and had cervical high-risk human papillomavirus (hrHPV) testing performed within the last 5 years.
• Persons 30-64 years of age who were recommended for routine cervical cancer screening and had cervical cytology/high-risk human papillomavirus (hrHPV) cotesting within the last 5 years.

Best Practices for Improving Screening Rates

• Confirm eligibility at every visit. Review last screening date and educate patients on recommended guidelines.
• Identify and address barriers to care. Ensure members are aware of TCHP supports such as transportation assistance.
• Promote patient incentives. Inform members about TCHP’s cervical cancer screening reward.
• Offer screenings during multiple visit types, including OB/GYN visits, UTI visits, pregnancy test visits, STD screening visits, and annual wellness exams.
• Use EMR gap alerts and proactive outreach for members who are overdue or have not scheduled screening.
• Review charts in advance to verify last screening date and results.
• Participate in Health Information Exchanges (HIE) or, when using Epic, leverage Care Everywhere to increase care coordination between providers.
• Utilize standing screening orders for eligible patients.

Special Screening Considerations

• History of hysterectomy:
  • If the cervix remains, continue screening per agebased guidelines.
  • If the cervix was removed:
    • Continue screening for 20 years postsurgery if the patient had moderate to severe cervical changes or abnormal Pap history.
    • No screening needed if there is no history of abnormal Pap results or cervical changes.
• Patients may require more frequent screening if they:
  • Live with HIV
  • Have weakened immune systems due to medical conditions or medications
  • Were exposed to diethylstilbestrol (DES) before birth

Next Steps for Providers

• Review your cervical cancer screening workflows to ensure alignment with CCSE best practices.
• Conduct outreach to members who are overdue for screening.
• Educate eligible members on the importance of routine screening and available TCHP supports.

If you have any questions, please email Provider Relations at providerrelations@texaschildrens.org. 

For access to all provider alerts www.texaschildrenshealthplan.org/provideralerts.