Liquid Biopsy for Hematologic Neoplasms Receives Medicare Coverage

Genomic Testing Cooperative announced that the Medicare Administrative Contractor Palmetto GBA (MolDX®) has finalized its review and has established coverage for two Genomic Testing Cooperative (GTC) hematology profiles:  GTC-Hematology (177 gene DNA profiling) and GTC-Hematology Plus (177 gene DNA and 1408 gene RNA profiling).  The two Comprehensive Genomic Profile (CGP) tests are designed to help Pathologists and Hematologists/Oncologists in establishing the precise diagnosis, prognosis and determine therapy in hematologic neoplasms.   The GTC Hematology test (177 gene DNA Profile) can be performed on cell-free DNA (cf-DNA) from peripheral blood samples representing the first Palmetto GBA covered liquid biopsy for hematology.    A liquid biopsy for suspected hematologic neoplasms or monitoring patients with hematologic neoplasms can be highly useful and practical as a replacement to the painful bone marrow biopsy, which can be a deterrent for some patients.

Dr. Maher Albitar, GTC Chief Executive Officer and Chief Medical Officer, stated, “We are delighted that Palmetto GBA sees the value of GTC hematologic profiling testing and thrilled they are making this testing available to appropriate patient populations.   Proper diagnosis, classification and clinical management of hematologic malignancies require in-depth molecular profiling, which saves the healthcare systems money over the long run.  Our testing also provides information on the molecular heterogeneity within the neoplasm, which is very important for precise planning of the therapeutic approach.”

Laboratories and hospitals that are members of the cooperative group as well as non-member medical professionals will have immediate access to these Medicare-covered Hematology Profiling tests.

It is estimated that approximately 1,399,180 people in the US are either living with the diagnosis of hematologic neoplasm or in remission.  Approximately 175,200 new cases of hematologic neoplasms are diagnosed annually in the US.  Chronic Myeloproliferative neoplasm, acute myeloid leukemia and myelodysplastic syndrome are the major diseases in myeloid neoplasms.

Source – PRNewswire