Recently, the USPSTF released updated draft guidelines in April 2013 (from those previously published in 2005) for inherited breast and ovarian cancer due to germline BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations.1 USPSTF is comprised of primary care providers who review the available literature and issue guidelines about risk assessment, testing and management based on available evidence. Subsequently, the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Labor, and the Department of Treasury issued a clarification addressing coverage for BRCA testing under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Specifically, they indicated that asymptomatic, high-risk women (as defined per the USPSTF guidelines) with a family history of breast or ovarian cancer will be able to get tested for the breast cancer risk genes BRCA1 and BRCA2 with no co-pay.2 This rule applies to non-grandfathered health insurance plans and will likely broaden access to BRCA testing, as implementation of the ACA moves forward.
1.http://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf/uspsbrgen.html
2.http://news.yahoo.com/breast-cancer-genetic-testing-gets-covered-health-care-234648209.html