Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and the University of Michigan Health System have launched a new statewide initiative to improve genetic testing practices, called the Genetic Testing Resource and Quality Consortium.
The goal of the initiative is to help clinicians decide if genetic testing should be performed and which tests would benefit patients the most. Participants will also work to develop best practices for performing genetic tests, improving testing quality and advising patients about genetic testing.
The Genetic Testing Resource and Quality Consortium is part of the Michigan Blues' Collaborative Quality Initiative program and is the first of the program to include many provider types, like pathologists, genetic counselors and physicians.
The initiative is currently recruiting participants and will then begin reviewing data and literature to determine the most appropriate tests. The next step is to determine if the tests are being performed properly at the right time for the right reasons.