A new piece of federal legislation could allow Medicare to cover Exact Sciences cancer-screening blood tests, the Wisconsin State Journal reported.
“It’s a historic day in the fight against cancer,” Exact Sciences chairman and CEO Kevin Conroy said in a statement. “Most importantly, we are thrilled for the countless individuals whose lives will be impacted by these tests, potentially giving them more opportunities to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries and precious moments with their loved ones.”
The provision would require Medicare to cover the tests starting in 2028 after they receive approval by the Food and Drug Administration.
The legislation would cover Exact Sciences’ Cancerguard, a blood-based early detection test, which costs $689. Cancerguard can detect cancers at an earlier stage, such as pancreatic, ovarian, liver, stomach and esophageal cancers.
