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Illumina, Blue Cross Blue Shield Association Partner on Precision Medicine Report

NEW YORK (GenomeWeb) – Illumina and the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association will partner in order to develop a better understanding of the state of precision medicine in the US.

The companies said they plan to write a report on the utilization of precision medicine by early 2019 that details the availability and clinical understanding of DNA sequencing technologies, genetic testing, and precision medicine. In addition, the companies also plan to provide educational programs to healthcare providers in areas that they identify as currently having limited access.

"Through our partnership with Illumina, we'll have a better understanding of how precision medicine is being used so we can avoid inequities by ensuring all Americans have access to these lifesaving treatments that are tailored to their individual health needs," Trent Haywood, senior vice president and chief medical officer for the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, said in a statement.

Phillip Febbo, Illumina's chief medical officer and senior vice president, also noted that "health care providers need to be educated on both the clinical accuracy and usefulness of next generation sequencing."

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