Precision Medicine Coverage: How We Can Bridge the Gap

Los Angeles Times

11-04-2025

Precision medicine is the way to customize healthcare by focusing on each person's genes, environment and lifestyle. It goes beyond the idea that everyone with the same medical condition needs the same medical treatment. Instead it uses advanced genetic tests to figure out what treatment might work best for a specific person's biology. But there's a big problem: it can be very expensive and complicated. That's where health insurance comes in, because insurance coverage can decide if people can afford these advanced tests and treatments.
Precision medicine is the new way of healthcare that doesn't just use the old 'one-size-fits-all' formula. Instead it looks at the unique genes, lifestyle habits and even environment of each individual. This idea got major attention through the Precision Medicine Initiative which is all about finding personalized ways to prevent and treat diseases.
Although it may sound brand new, some aspects have been around for a while. Matching blood types for transfusions was an early form of personalized care. Patients with the same clinical diagnosis may respond differently to treatments, that's why personalized therapy based on molecular information and biomarkers is important. Researchers now want to expand precision medicine to many different conditions. By looking at each patient's genes and daily life, doctors can uncover deeper insights into treatments and disease prevention.
Insurance coverage is key here because advanced genetic tests can be costly. Precision medicine goes even deeper than standard treatments by looking at a person's genetic signals to come up with a better targeted plan. This approach tailors medical strategies for the treatment and prevention of a particular disease, considering individual differences such as genes and lifestyle. Many people can see better results, fewer side effects and less guesswork. But some insurers are not convinced these treatments always justify their price tags. This uncertainty leads to variations in what insurance plans will cover and it can keep people from getting these life changing treatments [5]. This is especially true for cancer treatment.
Genetic testing is the backbone of precision medicine. By looking at a patient's genetic makeup, doctors can see the possibility of certain diseases and how the body might respond to different drugs. That allows doctors to get more precise with treatments and can help reduce unnecessary costs from treatments that won't work.For example, if a genetic test shows a higher risk of certain diseases, the patient can start preventive care early to stop problems from getting worse. Another scenario: If a test finds specific genetic variants that interact poorly with certain medicines, the care team can choose a safer, more effective alternative right away.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is big in making sure genetic tests and targeted therapies actually help people and not harm them. Since technology moves fast, the FDA uses a flexible approach and supports new tests as they come out. One of its key efforts is the precisionFDA platform which brings together researchers, medical professionals and tech developers. The idea is to share data, validate new tests and create a more solid foundation for precision medicine to grow. This will deliver better care to patients faster with strong safety checks.
Despite all the progress, there are real challenges.
When deciding to cover certain tests or therapies, insurers look at:
One idea is to move away from 'one plan fits all' coverage. By tailoring insurance payments and decisions to the individual, insurers can account for how each person's body will respond to a therapy [1]. This will reduce waste on treatments that won't help. Additionally, collecting real-world data from everyday medical care will give a clearer picture of how well a therapy works and which patients benefit most [4].
Better collaboration among insurance companies, doctors, researchers and regulators will lead to faster adoption of tested and effective therapies [3]. On top of that, being open about which genetic variations are most 'actionable' for treatment decisions reduces confusion for everyone involved [2]. This will make it easier for insurers to know what they're paying for and why it matters.
Looking at the dollars and cents behind a new therapy will help insurance companies figure out how to pay for them [9]. At the same time, health policies may need to change so insurers cover tests that prove beneficial and address social challenges that prevent people from getting care. This matters in breast cancer research for example where certain communities may not have the same access to new tests or therapies [7], [8].
Some healthcare systems around the world already cover more precision medicine tests [10]. Rigorous health technology assessments will provide guidance on the most beneficial and cost-effective approaches [11]. Over time, more research and strategic funding will refine coverage standards so more people have access to these life-saving therapies [12].
Health insurance is the deciding factor on who gets to benefit from precision medicine. Although there are many challenges—coverage gaps, limited data and varied approaches to what's 'experimental'—there are solutions on the horizon. Adjusting reimbursement models to focus on individuals, collecting real-world results, encouraging collaboration among different groups and clarifying what genetic variations mean will shape the landscape of health coverage for advanced treatments.So let's keep pushing for fairness and value. Let's work together and improve policies to guide insurers towards consistent evidence-based coverage. With insurer support, precision medicine can become part of everyday practice and patients can get highly personalized care that improves their outcomes.
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[8] Freeman, J. Q., & Huo, D. (2024). Addressing Social Determinants in the Era of Precision Medicine in Breast Cancer: Is It Sufficient to Reduce Disparities?. Cancer epidemiology, biomarkers & prevention : a publication of the American Association for Cancer Research, cosponsored by the American Society of Preventive Oncology, 33(5), 635–637. https://doi.org/10.1158/1055-9965.EPI-24-0231
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