Photo: Photo courtesy of the Delaware Alzheimer’s Association

New law expands insurance coverage for testing that can help doctors select treatments for cancer, Alzheimer’s disease and other conditions

DOVER, Del. — Gov. Matt Meyer signed legislation Tuesday afternoon expanding insurance coverage for biomarker testing, giving more Delaware patients access to technology used to diagnose diseases and identify treatments tailored to their conditions.

Senate Substitute No. 1 for Senate Bill 120 requires more health insurance plans, including Medicaid, to cover medically appropriate biomarker testing. The legislation unanimously passed the Senate in June before receiving approval from the House.

The law is intended to close a growing gap between advances in precision medicine and insurance coverage for the tests needed to guide care.

What biomarker testing does

Biomarker testing examines genes, proteins and other characteristics that may provide information about a disease. Doctors can use the results to diagnose some conditions earlier, determine whether a patient is likely to benefit from a particular treatment, avoid treatments unlikely to work or identify potential clinical trials.

The testing has become especially important in cancer care and is increasingly used in diagnosing and treating Alzheimer’s disease and other conditions.

Supporters say expanded access can lead to earlier diagnoses, more effective treatment, less unnecessary care and better-informed decisions by patients and doctors.

Alzheimer’s advocates welcome signing

Representatives of the Alzheimer’s Association Delaware Chapter attended the bill signing.

Glen Gray, chair of the newly organized Delaware chapter, praised Meyer’s decision to sign the measure. He said the law represents another step toward diagnosing Alzheimer’s disease earlier, when patients and their families generally have more options for treatment, planning and support.

Gray also praised Sen. Spiros Mantzavinos for leading the legislative effort, calling the bill an example of effective leadership and thanking the senator for working to improve care for Delaware’s older residents.

A tool for cancer survivors

American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network volunteer Matt Wilson underwent treatment for pancreatic cancer more than 13 years ago, when biomarker testing was not as widely used as it is today.

“Though biomarker testing did not inform my initial treatment, it is a critical tool for ensuring my cancer stays in remission,” Wilson said. “It is also critical for ensuring continued progress in the fight against this disease.”

Wilson said greater knowledge about the characteristics of an individual patient’s cancer can help doctors choose more effective treatments.

“The more we know about cancer and the better we understand how to treat it, the closer we are to ending cancer as we know it for everyone,” he said. “Biomarker testing makes that possible.”

Coverage has lagged behind medical advances

Although the use of biomarker testing has expanded, supporters of the legislation said insurance coverage has not always kept pace with advances in medicine. That can leave patients unable to obtain testing that could identify the most effective treatment for their condition.

Mantzavinos sponsored the legislation, while Rep. William Bush championed the effort in the House.

“For thousands of patients in Delaware, biomarker testing has meant more effective care and better outcomes, offering renewed hope,” said Lance Kilpatrick, government relations director for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network. “Yet too many people still struggle to access this testing due to barriers, including inadequate insurance coverage.”

Kilpatrick said the new law will help eliminate those barriers and give more patients access to testing that could improve their care.

To Go Box

• What: Information about biomarker testing and precision medicine
• Who may benefit: Patients whose doctors recommend biomarker testing to diagnose a condition or help select treatment
• What the new law does: Expands coverage of medically appropriate biomarker testing through more health insurance plans, including Medicaid
• Learn more: Visit fightcancer.org/biomarkers

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