Health and cost-benefits of Chlamydia screening in young women

Background: The Health Plan Employer Data and Information Set (HEDIS) is a set of performance measures used to assess the quality of care delivered in managed care plans. New measures that address unevaluated areas of care are continuously being developed. Chlamydia screening among young women is one new measure that was recently adopted by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) for inclusion in HEDIS, An essential criterion for new measures is that the clinical intervention is beneficial to health and cost-effective. Goal: To assess the health benefits and cost-effectiveness of chlamydia screening among young women. Study Design: A focused review of the literature was performed using Medline. Articles addressing the epidemiology of chlamydia infection, its health consequences, and the benefits, problems, and cost-effectiveness associated with chlamydia screening are reviewed. Results: The literature reviewed shows scientific and cost-effectiveness data that support the adoption of the HEDIS measure for chlamydia screening among young women. Conclusion: The National Committee for Quality Assurance's recent adoption of the measure for chlamydia screening among young women into the formal HEDIS measurement set is justifiable from a health benefit standpoint and from a cost-effectiveness standpoint.