A private payor survey by ClearView Healthcare Partners found that medical directors viewed CMS's decision with caution; half had no plans to align commercial plan coverage.
The policy states that lab tests without FDA's blessing may pursue local coverage via Medicare contractors, but national coverage requires premarket approval or clearance.
The final determination also adds coverage for FDA-approved tests in stage III patients, and for repeat testing if patients receive a new primary diagnosis.
These lobbying efforts aim to shore up willingness among legislators to step in and halt implementation of the NCD if certain provisions remain in the final version.
Interpace said that its two thyroid tests are now covered for over 280 million patients nationwide including Medicare, Medicare Advantage, and national and regional health plans.
A perspective that hasn't gotten as much attention is that the CMS draft coverage decision could be bad for patients by increasing off-label drug use based on the results of NGS panels.
An assessment concluded that Oncotype Dx has not demonstrated a significant enough impact on outcomes or cost effectiveness compared to current practice.
Several of the top molecular diagnostic firms presented at the JP Morgan Healthcare Conference on Monday discussing product portfolios, FDA clearances, and plans for 2018.
Companies in the life science tools and molecular diagnostics spaces provided updates on their businesses at the 36th annual JP Morgan Healthcare Conference this week in San Francisco.
Some industry players are accusing CMS of advancing backdoor LDT regulation by proposing to cover NGS tests with FDA approval/clearance, except in a limited setting.
This is Biocept's third BCBS contract and enables cancer patients to access the company's testing services in network under their Wellmark health plans.
The investment bank said that an edit to CMS guidelines impacts payments for hereditary cancer testing, and could present Myriad with revenue and EPS headwinds.
The government payor made some adjustments in finalizing the 2018 clinical lab fee schedule, but the industry continues to feel CMS is ignoring its most salient concerns.
The Verge details the account of an academic who alleges her university retaliated against her after she complained of sexual harassment by her supervisor.
