Eight medical health plans in Georgia recognized for BRCA-related policies
9/23/2014
The Georgia Breast Cancer Genomic Health Consortium has recognized eight (medical) health plans in Georgia for their compliance with the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) “grade B” recommendation concerning BRCA-related breast and ovarian cancer in women. Medical directors and health plan representatives from Aetna, Athens Area Health Plan Select, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, Humana, Kaiser Permanente, United Healthcare and WellCare were honored at a recent meeting hosted by the Consortium.
A USPSTF “grade B” recommendation signifies that there is high certainty the net benefit of a particular service is moderate to substantial. It suggests that primary care providers screen women with a family history of breast or ovarian cancer using evidence-based screening tools designed to identify individuals at increased risk for a BRCA 1/2 genetic mutation. The recommendation promotes coverage of genetic counseling and testing by insurance companies, Medicare and Medicaid.
Representatives from the state’s health benefit plan and the Georgia Insurance Commissioners Office were also present at the Consortium event. Meetings included presentations on the current state of coverage for genetic counseling and testing in Georgia, as well as the screening tools available for patients, such as the B-RSTTM located on www.BreastCancerGeneScreen.org. Health plans were evaluated on their coverage of female members with a family history of breast or ovarian cancer and whether genetic counseling prior to testing was recommended or required.
According to data from the Georgia Department of Public Health’s Breast and Cervical Cancer Program, it is estimated that between 750 and 2353 BRCA-related cancers could be prevented through early detection and intervention. Given these statistics, the ability to identify high-risk individuals with BRCA 1/2 genetic mutations through the collection and sharing of family health history is paramount to reducing the hereditary breast and ovarian cancer disease burden.
“Expanding genomics education and genetic risk assessment, including genetic counseling and testing, can provide patients with information needed to make well-informed decisions about their care,” said Monique Martin, MPH, CHES and Georgia CORE’s Health Education and Communications Specialist. “Genomics also can contribute significantly to a reduction in the cancer burden faced by disparate populations.”