​Independence Blue Cross (Independence) and Labcorp have a program in place to send screening kits for iFOBT, HbA1c, and nephropathy to select members, your patients, at home. The kits are accompanied by a letter from Labcorp. Since the letter does not include Independence branding, some members have asked questions about the source of the kits.

If your office participates in the program and an Independence patient brings this to your attention, please assure them that this program has been authorized by your office or your health system's central office. These programs are targeted to Independence Commercial fully insured and Medicare Advantage members who, according to our records, have a colorectal cancer screening or diabetic screening care gap.

We appreciate your encouragement of your patients to complete these important screenings.

Members can also reach out to an Independence Registered Nurse Health Coach at 1-800-ASK-BLUE for any questions regarding these programs or screening kits.

Offering convenient in-home screenings

The iFOBT program was developed in 2016 to help increase colorectal cancer screening rates and provide alternatives for   members who may decline to have a colonoscopy. Since its start, the iFOBT program has successfully led to a significant increase in screenings among members who may not have otherwise received a colorectal cancer screening.

In 2020, the in-home screening program was expanded to include diabetic members (who may not have a controlled HbA1c value on file) and/or to identified patients who have not received nephropathy screening.

Independence contracted with Labcorp, an independent company that is our exclusive national outpatient laboratory provider, to send these screening kits to eligible members.

Providers with patients who are eligible for this program did receive letters earlier this year containing instructions, including a Provider Authorization Form.

If you'd like more information or have any questions about this program, please contact Tessa Pelger at 215-640-7582 or Tessa.Pelger@ibx.com.​