CMS expands coverage of next generation sequencing as a diagnostic tool for patients with breast and ovarian cancer

CMS

27 January 2020 - Final decision provides new access to Next Generation Sequencing tests for certain Medicare patients with cancer to enable more tailored and personalized care.

Today the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) took action to cover FDA approved or cleared laboratory diagnostic tests using Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) for patients with germline (inherited) ovarian or breast cancer.

Over the last several years, CMS has been actively monitoring the rapid innovation of NGS tests and the evolution of cancer diagnostic tools. NGS tests provide the most comprehensive genetic analysis of a patient’s cancer because they enable simultaneous detection of multiple types of genetic alterations. Medicare first began covering laboratory diagnostic tests using NGS in March 2018 for Medicare patients with advanced cancer that met specific criteria. As a result of today’s decision, more Medicare patients will have access to NGS in managing other types of inherited cancers to reduce mortality and improve health outcomes.

Read CMS press release

Michael Wonder

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Michael Wonder