Thermo Fisher Scientific’s Oncomine Dx Target Test for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Receives Coverage from First Regional Health Plan
Coverage of the comprehensive, multi-biomarker test is now available to Regence BlueCross/BlueShield plan members in Oregon, Idaho, Utah and Washington
CARLSBAD, Calif., Oct. 16, 2017 /PRNewswire/ — Thermo Fisher Scientific today announced its Oncomine Dx Target Test has received a positive coverage decision by Regence BlueCross/BlueShield. The declaration makes the next-generation sequencing (NGS)-based companion diagnostic for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) available to members in four states.
Regence BlueCross/BlueShield coverage of the Oncomine Dx Target Test, which simultaneously evaluates 23 genes clinically associated with NSCLC, will be in effect in Oregon, Idaho, Utah and select counties of Washington. With this test, physicians can match patients to U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved therapies in days instead of several weeks, which it often takes when screening samples one biomarker at a time.
“The decision to cover the Oncomine Dx Target Test marks an important milestone in the advancement of multi-biomarker-based tests. The benefits they can bring to patients by helping to get them on the right therapy more quickly without the cost and trauma of the trial and error associated with traditional single-gene testing is significant,” said Joydeep Goswami, President of Clinical Next-Generation Sequencing and Oncology, at Thermo Fisher Scientific. “We look forward to seeing more health plans cover this test as they recognize the value of NGS-based companion diagnostics.”
The Oncomine Dx Target Test received FDA approval in June, followed by a Proprietary Laboratory Analyses (PLA) code from the American Medical Association in August, leading to the posting of the positive coverage decision in the Regence BlueShield Medicare Advantage Policy this month.
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the U.S., with NSCLC accounting for 85 percent of all lung cancers.1 According to the American Cancer Society, each year more people die of lung cancer than of colon, breast and prostate cancers combined. It also estimates that there will be nearly 1.7 million new cases of cancer in 2017, 14 percent of which will be lung cancers.
More information about the Oncomine Dx Target Test is available at www.thermofisher.com/oncomine-dxtarget.
1. Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer: Epidemiology, Risk Factors, Treatment, and Survivorship; Julian R. Molina, MD, PhD, Ping Yang, MD, PhD, Stephen D. Cassivi, MD, Steven E. Schild, MD, and Alex A. Adjei, MD, PhD
About Thermo Fisher Scientific
Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. is the world leader in serving science, with revenues of more than $20 billion and approximately 65,000 employees globally. Our mission is to enable our customers to make the world healthier, cleaner and safer. We help our customers accelerate life sciences research, solve complex analytical challenges, improve patient diagnostics, deliver medicines to market and increase laboratory productivity. Through our premier brands – Thermo Scientific, Applied Biosystems, Invitrogen, Fisher Scientific and Unity Lab Services – we offer an unmatched combination of innovative technologies, purchasing convenience and comprehensive services. For more information, please visit www.thermofisher.com.
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SOURCE Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.