MEDCAC Meeting Minutes/Transcripts available- Molecular Pathology Testing to Estimate Prognosis in Cancer

The minutes and transcripts are now available from the March 24, 2015 meeting of the CMS panel of the Medicare Evidence Development and Coverage Advisory Committee (MEDCAC). The MEDCAC panel considered the evidence about molecular pathology tests that estimate the prognosis of several frequently encountered types of cancer, including: Adenocarcinoma of the colon and rectum; Invasive breast cancer; and Non-small cell lung cancer. Outcomes of interest to CMS include both beneficial and harmful outcomes experienced by patients from anti-tumor treatment decisions based on results of tests estimating cancer prognosis. Such outcomes may include, among others: mortality/survival; quality of life; and avoiding harms of anti-cancer treatment. The results of a technology assessment of such tests were presented. By voting on specific questions, and by their discussions, MEDCAC panel members will advise CMS about the extent to which it may wish to use existing evidence as the basis for any future determinations about coverage for tests that estimate cancer prognosis. MEDCAC panels do not make coverage determinations, but CMS often benefits from their advice.