Disagreements about New Molecular Tests

Few weeks go by without someone touting the benefits of a new genetic test. Such innovation is needed, of course, except when it overwhelms our ability to vet these developments. Yet that’s already happened. Health plans can’t keep up with orders from physicians for new complex molecular diagnostic tests that clinical labs develop and promote as the next best technology to improve patient care. Early this year, Aetna, Anthem, and Cigna said that they were not paying for multigene panels because the tests have yet to show sufficient clinical utility. Ordering such tests leads patients to get more tests and more care they may not need, the insurers argued. Not surprisingly, the clinical labs marketing these tests charged insurers were endangering patients by refusing coverage.