HEDIS Measure Spotlight: Cervical Cancer Screening (CCS)
| Date: | September 02, 2026 |
| From: | Health Plan of San Joaquin/Mountain Valley Health Plan (“Health Plan”) |
| To: | Health Plan All Providers |
| Type: | Informational/Educational |
| Subject: | HEDIS Measure Spotlight: Cervical Cancer Screening (CCS) |
| Business: | Medi-Cal Managed Care |
Purpose
This is a reminder to screen eligible members for cervical cancer and highlight an important recent update to the NCQA HEDIS Cervical Cancer Screening (CCS) measure: self-collection is now an acceptable specimen collection method for the HPV component of screening, and this self-swab collection method is a covered Medi-Cal benefit. CCS is an NCQA HEDIS Effectiveness of Care measure and is included in DHCS’s Managed Care Accountability Set (MCAS).
What’s New: Self-Collection for HPV Testing
NCQA now permits a self-collected vaginal sample as an acceptable specimen for the HPV component of screening, following FDA clearance of self-collection devices for use in a clinical setting. This is a clinician-supervised, in-office or in-clinic collection — the member self-swabs using a provided kit during the visit, not an at-home mail-in test — and the sample is still processed through your standard lab workflow.
| Screening Method | Age/Interval | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Cervical cytology (Pap) | Ages 21-65, every 3 years | Standard Pap smear or liquid based cytology |
| Cytology/HPS co-testing | Ages 30-64, every 5 years | Pap plus high-risk HPV test performed together |
| High-risk HPV testing alone | Ages 30-64, every 5 years | Primary HPV screening without cytology |
Why this matters for your patients
- Self-collection can improve screening completion among members who decline or delay a speculum exam due to discomfort, trauma history, or cultural/religious barriers.
- It does not replace cytology-based screening pathways — it is specifically an option for the HPV testing component (co-testing or primary HPV screening), for members ages 30 (at the time of screening) to 64.
- A clinician conversation is still recommended to confirm this is a suitable pathway for the individual member and to arrange any necessary follow-up (e.g., a full pelvic exam if the HPV result is positive).
Exclusions
- Hysterectomy with no residual cervix, documented any time prior to the end of the measurement year.
- Persons with sex assigned at birth as male.
What We’re Asking Providers To Do
- Screen for cervical cancer status at every applicable visit for members in the eligible age range due for a screening.
- Offer self-collection as an option for the HPV component when clinically and age appropriate, particularly for members who have historically declined a pelvic exam.
- Submit claims with the current measurement year’s correct CPT/HCPCS/LOINC codes promptly after the service is rendered and be sure self-collected HPV specimens are coded distinctly from clinician-collected specimens per your lab’s guidance.
- Document any applicable exclusion clearly in the chart and coded appropriately
For additional best practices and coding for this measure and others refer to the MY2026 Provider Pocket Guide – for a copy of the guide reach out to your provider services representative at 1-888-936-PLAN (7526).
If you have any further questions, please contact your Provider Services Representative, or call our Customer Service Department at 1-888-936-PLAN (7526). You may also visit https://www.hpsj.com/alerts/ for online access to the documents shared. The most recent information about Health Plan and our services is always available on our website www.hpsj-mvhp.org
