Cancer patients who undergo genomic sequencing tests may be left with expensive, unexpected medical bills, according to a Kaiser Health News report.
Five things to know:
1. Genomic sequencing, part of precision medicine, is used to help identify cancer-related mutations in the DNA of patients' tumors.
2. Hundreds of thousands of cancer patients have used genomic sequencing, according to the report, which cites testing companies.
3. In March, Medicare announced that it will cover diagnostic laboratory tests using Next Generation Sequencing for advanced cancer patients. But some cancer patients may still receive high, unexpected medical bills because few private insurers provide coverage for the testing, according to the report.
4. In addition to paying for the initial test, cancer patients must pay for ongoing treatment. Kaiser Health News reports that sometimes patients' genomic tests match them to experimental medications — which are available for free through clinical trials — but many cancer patients can't cover the traveling costs to participate.
5. Insurers say costs aren't the only concern regarding precision medicine. They argue there isn't enough evidence to show the approach will consistently work, according to the report.
Access the full Kaiser Health News report here.
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