ACLA Supportive of CMS Revisions to National Coverage Determination on the Use of Next Generation Sequencing in Cancer
(Washington, D.C.) – The American Clinical Laboratory Association (ACLA) expressed support today for revisions made by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to the final National Coverage Determination (NCD) released today on Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) for Medicare Beneficiaries with Advanced Cancer. The association and other stakeholders submitted extensive comments to the agency on the proposed NCD to ensure that the policy would not deprive Medicare beneficiaries’ access to critical laboratory testing that is a key part of precision medicine.
“ACLA is pleased with the response from CMS to stakeholder concerns in the final NCD,” said Julie Khani, President of the ACLA. “ACLA supports pathways to coverage for molecular diagnostic tests, such as provided in this final NCD. This policy strikes a good balance between providing a pathway to national coverage for certain tests and allowing the local Medicare contractors to determine coverage decisions for the remaining set.
“ACLA will continue to work with CMS and the local Medicare contractors as this policy is implemented to ensure that patients continue to have access to these innovative and clinically impactful tests,” continued Khani.
To view ACLA’s previously issued comments on CMS’ draft NCD click here.
