The impacts of genomics and affordability
Integrating this cutting-edge science into routine health care requires addressing obstacles as it remains specialized and costly. While lab-developed tests provide valuable insights, ensuring test quality remains crucial for reliable results and comprehensive health plan coverage is paramount.
Evolving state-level biomarker mandates encourage insurers to cover comprehensive testing, but policy gaps persist, and patients may face cost hurdles. We offer solutions for every step of your cost-of-care journey that manage genomic and routine laboratory reimbursement and utilization.
- Limited federal oversight, until recently, with no single identifier or framework for evaluating test quality
- 175K+ clinical genetic tests1
- 500+ CPT® codes available2
- Need for greater transparency and alignment
- $2B+ of fraud identified by U.S. Department of Justice annually for code stacking3
Genomics payment manager
Optum Genomics Payment Manager, available exclusively through a license with Palmetto GBA and the DEX Diagnostics Exchange Registry, facilitates alignment among health plans, providers and labs. It ensures accurate claim submission and reimbursement by providing essential information for genetic testing claims.
This innovative solution addresses the challenges posed by rapid growth in this field, surpassing traditional policy and coding structures.
Laboratory benefits management
Optum collaborates with Avalon Healthcare Solutions to provide comprehensive laboratory benefits management.
Routine Testing Management focuses on controlling utilization through policy management and automated adherence. Up to 30% of lab tests may be unnecessary, and there’s a 2x-3x cost variation across different sites.
Precision Genetic Testing Management focuses on genetic test utilization through policies, prior authorization services, and unique genetic test identification.
- Halbisen AL, Lu CY. Trends in Availability of Genetic Tests in the United States, 2012-2022. J Pers Med. April 6, 2023; 13(4):638.
- Laboratory Hub. Understanding CPT and ICD Codes in Laboratory Billing. Accessed June 28, 2024.
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General. Nationwide Genetic Testing Fraud. Accessed June 28, 2024.
- Zhi M, Ding EL, Theisen-Toupal J, Whelan J, Arnaout R. The landscape of inappropriate laboratory testing: a 15-year meta-analysis. PLoS One. Nov 15, 2015; 8(11).
- Shrank WH, Rogstad TL, Parekh N. Waste in the US Health Care System: Estimated Costs and Potential for Savings. JAMA. Oct 15, 2019;322(15):1501-1509.