Clinical Practice Guideline - Cholesterol Screening and Management

Recommendation Summary:

Regence supports the recommendations of the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) and  the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) Expert Panel on Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Cholesterol in Adults - Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP-ATP III). Differences between these recommendations should be discussed with your physician/provider of care.

Web Site Link:

Screening for Lipid Disorders in Adults: Selective Update of 2001 U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) Review (Release Date June 2008)
http://www.ahrq.gov/clinic/uspstf/uspschol.htm

Third Report of the Expert Panel on Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Cholesterol in Adults (ATP III Final Report) [2002, updated 2004]
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/guidelines/cholesterol/

Position Statement:

The USPSTF guidelines and recommendations from NCEP are supported by Regence because they are based on scientific evidence, and where evidence is lacking, on panel consensus judgment.  The guidelines reflect the current standard of care.

• The panel members are recognized experts practicing in a variety of specialty areas.
• Recommendations are based on a well-defined, comprehensive scientific literature search.
• Methods used to select appropriate scientific literature are well defined.
• The methods used to critically appraise the evidence supporting guideline recommendations are transparent. 
• The guidelines clearly state the strength of the evidence on which recommendations are based. 
• Sources of funding:
  • USPSTF Guideline: United States Government
  • NCEP-ATP III Final Report: not disclosed
• Financial disclosure statements/conflicts of interest:
  • Required for USPSTF panel members; those with substantial conflicts must abstain from voting.
  • Published for NCEP panel members (2004 updated report).

Regence Resources:

• Some Regence members may be eligible for participation in the cardiac disease management program.  Please check benefits for eligibility.
• Cardiac disease educational materials are included on the Regence website:  myregence.com 

Guideline Adoption and Recommended Use:

This guideline has been adopted based on nationally and locally recognized sources.  This guideline is based on the most recent medical evidence at the time of the report or on a consensus of panel experts.  Regence adopts guidelines to help practitioners and members make decisions about appropriate health care for specific conditions.  Guidelines are not a substitute for professional medical advice.

Benefit Determination:

Benefit determinations should be based in all cases on the applicable contract coverage.  To the extent that there are any conflicts between these guidelines and the contract language, the contract language takes precedence.

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