Medicare now covering genetic testing

Georgia CORE

Last month, the federal government announced that Medicare has broadened its guidelines to cover USFDA-approved or -cleared genetic testing for ovarian and breast cancer patients. Genetic testing (or Next Generation Sequencing as a diagnostic laboratory test) provides the most comprehensive genetic analysis of a patient’s cancer because it enables simultaneous detection of multiple types of genetic alterations. Now more Medicare patients will have access to these tests for managing other types of inherited cancers and to reduce mortality and improve health outcomes.

“Medicare has realized that genetics is transforming medicine,” said Georgia CORE’s oncology clinical nurse specialist, Alice Kerber. “Genetic testing provides valuable information to guide patients and physicians in developing a personalized treatment plan.”

More information is at cms.gov.