CMS Update of Horizon Scan Reports of Genetic Tests Currently Available for Clinical Use

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality’s (AHRQ) Technology Assessment Program will be posting a draft technology assessment for review on December 16, 2009. This draft is entitled “Update of Horizon Scan Reports of Genetic Tests Currently Available for Clinical Use.” If you are interested in reviewing this document, please visit: https://www.ahrq.gov/clinic/ta/tareview.htm. The document will be available for review from 9:00 AM on December 16, 2009 to 5:00 PM on January 8, 2010. If you have any questions, please contact ahrqtap@ahrq.hhs.gov.

The 2008 horizon scan report summarized the use of genetic tests for cancer conditions and the current report is on the use of genetic tests for non-cancer conditions. The current horizon scan updates the 2007 horizon scan report on Genetic Testing for Non-Cancer Conditions.{Raman, 2007 1000 /id} CMS would like the report and the accompanying database to be a ready reference for their discussions in this area. This report provides a broad overview with sufficient information on each test, and to estimate the amount of potential literature available on each test. This report is not meant to be an in-depth review; these will be subject of future focused reviews. The contents in the database reflect the data obtained from the manufacturer’s websites or other websites. The aim of this report is to identify genetic tests for non-cancer conditions that are already in clinical practice and are applicable to the Medicare population, and to gather information on these genetic tests. The eligible tests are reviewed to obtain additional details of the individual tests and to create a one-page summary of genetic tests for non-cancer conditions in an electronic database.