It can be difficult to keep up with new molecular tests and technologies, as well as the reimbursement policy for molecular genetic testing. An upcoming AACC webinar aims to explain the growth areas of molecular diagnostics, with insight into expectations for reimbursement in 2015.
Genevieve Tang, director of strategic product planning at Quorum Consulting in San Francisco, will be one of the speakers for the January 29 webinar.
She told CLN Stat: “I will be addressing key developments in the reimbursement landscape for molecular diagnostics, including implications of the Protecting Access to Medicare Act of 2014, introduction of a new code set for next-generation sequencing assays (also referred to as genomic sequencing procedures or GSPs) in 2015, and increasing evidence thresholds for payer coverage of molecular diagnostics.”
Tang said she hopes webinar participants take away a few key points. “The reimbursement environment for molecular diagnostics is rapidly evolving, and labs need to be able to adapt to survive,” she explained. Also, “macro-level regulatory and payer trends are placing increased value and emphasis on proprietary, ‘sole-source’ tests with strong evidence of clinical utility; in contrast, the value of “commodity” testing is decreasing.”
In order for laboratories to thrive going forward, they “must be prepared to invest in generating high quality evidence that demonstrates how test results impact clinical decision-making and patient outcomes,” Tang added.
Webinar participants can earn 1.0 ACCENT credit hours towards the AACC Clinical Chemist's Recognition Award.