Posted by Michael Wonder on 18 Mar 2018
CMS finalises coverage of Next Generation Sequencing tests, ensuring enhanced access for cancer patients
16 March 2018 - A new opportunity for cancer patients as advanced diagnostic laboratory tests now have expanded Medicare coverage.
Today CMS took action to advance innovative personalised medicine for Medicare patients with cancer. CMS finalised a National Coverage Determination that covers diagnostic laboratory tests using Next Generation Sequencing for patients with advanced cancer (i.e., recurrent, metastatic, relapsed, refractory, or stages III or IV cancer).
CMS believes when these tests are used as a companion diagnostic to identify patients with certain genetic mutations that may benefit from U.S. FDA-approved treatments, these tests can assist patients and their oncologists in making more informed treatment decisions. Additionally, when a known cancer mutation cannot be matched to a treatment then results from the diagnostic lab test using NGS can help determine a patient’s candidacy for cancer clinical trials.
