Colorectal Cancer Screening Program

To enroll, or get more information, please contact:

• Quality Health Associates Enrollment Center – Statewide enrollment.

         Call (833) 220-2981 

         Email ndcrc@qualityhealthnd.org 

        Self-Referral

• Family HealthCare – You must be a patient of Family HealthCare to enroll in this program. Contact Dawn McCollum dmccollum@famhealthcare.org (701) 551-7532 or Erin Powers epowers@famhealthcare.org (701) 551-2459

Once you enroll, you’ll receive a 12-digit Initiative ID number from Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota. Present this number when you use Colorectal Screening Program service.

The Colorectal Screening Program requires your annual income to fall within 139 to 200% of the federal poverty guidelines:

Colorectal cancer risk factors include both things you can control and those you cannot such as lifestyle choices and genetic factors.

Factors you can control:

• Being overweight or obese
• A sedentary lifestyle
• A diet high in processed foods or red meat
• Smoking
• Alcohol use

Factors you cannot control:

• Your age
• Personal history of colorectal cancer or polyps
• Personal history of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
• Family history of colorectal cancer or polyps
• Type 2 diabetes
• Racial and ethnic background

You can significantly reduce your risk for colorectal cancer by following these six tips: 

1. Get screened for colorectal cancer regularly
2. Eat a balanced diet that includes whole grains, lean proteins, fruit and vegetables
3. Exercise regularly
4. Manage your weight
5. Avoid smoking
6. Limit alcohol consumption

• Fecal occult blood test (FOBT) and fecal immunochemical test (FIT): These tests examine blood in the stool, which can show colorectal cancer
• mts-DNA Test, also known as Cologuard®: This test analyzes a stool sample to look for cancer. The DNA can show a need for a colonoscopy
• Colonoscopy: This test uses a small, flexible camera to examine the colon

Can I get treatment through the Colorectal Cancer Screening Program?

No, the program only helps provide screening services

What does the program cover?

• Office visits where a CRC Screening test is ordered
• Colorectal Cancer screening as a shared decision between patient and provider
  • Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT)
  • mts-DNA (Cologuard)
  • Colonoscopy
• Pre-op office visit, if required
• Limited lab work with pre-op visit
• Bowel prep in some instances, please ask enrollment specialist
• Analysis of any biopsies taken during the colonoscopy procedure
• Follow-up colonoscopy following a positive stool test
  • Surveillance colorectal cancer screening at interval indicated by provider

Where can I find cancer treatment?

If you receive a colorectal cancer diagnosis, use the contact information here or visit North Dakota’s Medicaid website to learn about treatment and financial aid options