CMS to reexamine coverage of germline sequencing tests

CMS said it will reopen its analysis of the National Coverage Determination for next-generation sequencing tests for cancer patients. The agency is only reconsidering evidence for tests of germline mutations to identify those with hereditary cancer who may benefit from targeted treatments. Public comments are due May 29.

Stakeholders raised concerns about the lack of access to tumor-profiling technologies at a Friday meeting co-hosted by FDA, ASCO and Friends of Cancer Research (see "Patient Access Pitfalls, Regulatory Inconsistencies Hamper Tissue Agnostic Drugs")...