The Association for Molecular Pathology released a survey last week regarding the state of reimbursement for medical diagnostic testing, according to GenomeWeb.
It seems that the state is parlous, with reimbursement for "data analysis, test interpretation, and reporting requirements" being inadequate. This reflects a need for "qualified molecular laboratory professionals" and of course reimbursement for these efforts. These efforts are significant, with the majority (65%) of respondents reporting that these reports require extra effort (compared with more conventional diagnostic laboratory tests) and greater time burdens. The only exceptions are so-called "single-gene tests," and oncology tests were typically delivered most rapidly (reflecting adequate time and personnel and, perhaps, their importance to proper diagnosis of what is, despite recent developments, frequently a deadly disease).
AMP has developed five recommendations/next steps for ameliorating these issues:
• work to develop informed perspectives on the future testing landscape, including the increasing adoption of more complex tests, and use this data to forecast future analysis burdens on labs;
• explore case studies to understand how existing analysis burdens impact lab function and how this could increase with anticipated changes;
• engage with physician and patient groups to better define negative outcomes from slow, expensive, or insufficient testing;
• advocate for policy changes that will positively impact reimbursement for interpretive services and report preparation for pathologists and qualified doctoral scientists; and
• educate payors about the complexities of molecular testing and intricacies involved in analysis, interpretation, and results reporting.
AMP intends to use the survey results to address these issues with "payors, federal agencies, and members of Congress" in efforts to obtain "fair and reasonable reimbursement solutions" to these reimbursement issues.
So maybe patents on genes weren't the problem after all, Myriad not the avaricious monster AMP made them out to be, and being permitted to infringe with impunity not the pot of gold they expected. Which was not entirely unexpected (see "The ACLU, Working for the Man").
