I thought this might be of interest to the Heartlanders.....
Lori Williamson, MS, CGC
-----Original Message-----
From: [log in to unmask] [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Tuesday, March 28, 2006 9:37 AM
To: Williamson, Lori L. (HSC)
Subject: NSGC INFORMATION *SACGHS Report on Coverage and Reimbursement
of Genetic Tests and Services*
Dear colleagues,
Below, please find the announcement from SACGHS on the Coverage and
Reimbursement document that was just released. You may remember that
several genetic counselors provided testimony last year on the topic
(and our workforce report is included as an appendix to this document).
I suggest that you review at least the executive summary of this
document (which is only a few pages long). It may also be useful for
those states attempting to obtain licensure or to negotiate contracts
with third party payors.
Kelly
Kelly E. Ormond, MS, CGC
Associate Professor and Director, Graduate Program in Genetic Counseling
Northwestern University
676 N. St. Clair #1280, Chicago IL, 60611
(312) 926-7466
fax (312) 926-3553
[log in to unmask]
http://www.cgm.northwestern.edu/gpgc.htm
----Original Message-----
From: Abbe Smith [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of SACGHS
Sent: Monday, March 27, 2006 9:06 AM
Subject: SACGHS Report on Coverage and Reimbursement of Genetic Tests
and Services
***********************************************************************
Secretary's Advisory Committee on Genetics, Health, and Society Releases
Report on Coverage and Reimbursement of Genetic Tests and Services
***********************************************************************T
he Final SACGHS Report on Coverage and Reimbursement of Genetic Tests
and Services is now available at
http://www4.od.nih.gov/oba/sacghs/reports/CR_report.pdf . The report
describes the current state of coverage and reimbursement of genetic
tests and services, highlights how problems in the system are affecting
patient access to and utilization of health-related genetic tests and
services, and identifies nine steps for improving current mechanisms for
coverage and reimbursement of genetic tests and services in both public
and private sectors. The recommendations cover a range of topics,
including evidence-based coverage decision-making, Medicare coverage of
preventive services, the adequacy of Current Procedural Terminology
codes for genetic tests and services, billing by non-physician genetic
counseling providers, and genetics education of health providers.
Dr. Reed Tuckson, SACGHS Chair, remarked that the changes recommended in
the report "are critical to the integration of genetic tests and
services into the health care system. Implementation of the recommended
changes will help the Department of Health and Human Services fulfill
its mission to improve the health and well-being of Americans."
Although the Committee's recommendations are directed primarily to the
Secretary of Health and Human Services, many also are relevant to
private health insurance plans. Dr. Tuckson noted that "adoption of the
recommendations by the private sector will help to ensure that
individuals with private insurance also benefit from improved access to
genetic tests and services."
SACGHS was established in 2002 to assess the broad range of human health
and societal issues raised by the development and use, and potential
misuse, of genetic technologies. SACGHS is composed of 13
non-governmental national experts in a range of scientific and
professional disciplines as well as 19 non-voting ex officio
representatives from a number of HHS agencies and offices and other
components of the Executive Branch. More information about SACGHS is
available at <http://www4.od.nih.gov/oba/SACGHS.htm>.
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