Coverage of Oncotype DX

Effective September 1, 2012, the MO HealthNet Division will begin covering the multigene expression assay procedure called Oncotype DX Breast Cancer Assay. This assay predicts outcomes for patients with early stage estrogen receptor (ER)-positive, lymph node-negative breast cancer by examining the tumor at a molecular level. This information is used to score an individualís likelihood of chemotherapy benefit and disease recurrence using a scale ranging from 1 to 100. The individualís score will assist the physician in making a more accurate determination whether chemotherapy is the most appropriate course of treatment and possibly avoid unnecessary treatment. The Oncotype DX Breast Cancer Assay is only performed and billed by Genomic Health Inc. in Redwood City, California.