This is a set back; however they did say they would pay for the tests as related to clinical trials. The tests run from $50.00 to $500.00, so this is not huge by any means. Warfarin is used to prevent blood clots and is one of the more difficult medications to monitor and has some side effects that can be threatening to some, so again somewhat of a sad day to not allow the test and some patients will more than likely be prescribed a drug that may not be of help to them, or cause some health affecting side effects.
Some stated they were in agreement with Medicare as said it would not make a big enough difference with dosing levels. It appears it is back to cost and not wanting the additional information available, and there will be more forth coming from other areas. Until then, at least we have the clinical trials to work with. BD
In a setback for the fledgling field of personalized medicine, Medicare has decided not to pay for genetic tests intended to help doctors determine the best dose of the blood thinner warfarin for a particular patient.
In a proposed decision posted on its Web site Monday, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services said that there was not enough evidence that use of the tests improved patients’ health.
But the agency said it would pay for the tests as part of clinical trials to gather such evidence.
The warfarin response tests, which cost $50 to $500, look at variations in two specific genes in a patient. They are among a group of new tests that seek to tailor medical treatments based on a patient’s genetic makeup. Such tests might help tell which drug would be best for a particular person, or whether a patient might be susceptible to dangerous side effects.
Gene Test for Dosage of Blood Thinner Is Rebuffed - NYTimes.com
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