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Genomind Supports New Reimbursement Initiatives and Patient Access to Mental Health Pharmacogenomic Tests with PGx Report Focused on Anxiety and…

October 13th, 2019 9:43 pm

Genomind opted to create the focused report in response to the recent UnitedHealthcare (UHC) decision to cover PGx testing for a subset of depression and anxiety patients. Genomind began offering its CORE Anxiety and Depression Report, in conjunction with UHCs coverage initiation for Genominds test for certain patients, on October 1, 2019. Consistent with the format of the full 24-gene report, Genomind will not include medication references on the CORE reports that are available to patients.

Mental healthcare in the U.S. is in crisis, with costs skyrocketing and suicide rates continuing to climb. Genomind remains committed to being part of the solution by providing innovative tools that are supported by literature and recognized by patients, clinicians, and health plans, said Shawn Patrick OBrien, Chief Executive Officer at Genomind. We have worked with UnitedHealthcare to bring our PGx service in line with their policy and laud their decision to support patients and embrace innovative, effective solutions in mental health. We look forward to working with other health plans to make these important tools more accessible to patients who continue to struggle with unmet medical needs in mental health.

In an August 2019 network bulletin, UHC issued a positive coverage decision for the use of multi-gene PGx testing, which uses no more than 15 relevant genes, in patients who have:

In issuing its decision, UHC cited the cost savings demonstrated in several studies examining PGx-guided therapy versus treatment without, including the Perlis et al. study, which used Genominds test. This study demonstrated that, compared to similar patients who did not use PGx-guided treatment, patients using Genominds test demonstrated an estimated $1,948 cost reduction in the first six months, 40% fewer emergency room visits for any reason, and 58% fewer hospitalizations for any cause.i

According to UHCs 2019 annual report, its health plans cover 27 million individuals. Given the estimated $1.4 billion market for depression and anxiety treatment, Genomind believes that many patients will be able to benefit from this policy decision. If the cost and resource savings described in the Perlis et al. study are applied to the patient population with depression and anxiety, we believe that the overall savings to the healthcare system would be in the billions, continued OBrien.

I watched my daughter struggle for years and we had many moments of despair as she spiraled into the depths of anxiety and depression. We wondered if wed ever find treatments for her that would work, said Jennifer Connelly, mother of a patient whose clinician prescribed Genominds PGx test as part of her mental healthcare program. Using Genominds test has been a lifesaving part of my daughters treatment. The information it gave our doctor enabled him to choose a medication more likely to work for her body, which I believe allowed the other pieces like cognitive therapy and wellness habits to take root. I am beyond grateful for Genominds test, which was such a key part of her healing process, and I hope that more patients are able to use this important tool in their mental health journey.

Genominds new CORE Anxiety and Depression Report is the most advanced and comprehensive depression and anxiety-focused service available in the mental health PGx market. It analyzes 15 genes that Genomind selected due to their documented utility in anxiety and depression treatment. As part of the Genomind Professional PGx Express suite of services, it provides 99.9% accuracy and a turnaround time of less than three days from receipt of the patient sample in Genominds lab. UHC patients and physicians receiving the CORE report can also enroll for free in NeuroFlow a digital platform of behavioral health smart phone apps that help the care teams and patients better track compliance with treatment plans and enable remote monitoring and measurement-based care.

Clinicians will still be able to order Genomind Professional PGx Express with the full 24-gene panel, which covers a broader range of mental health conditions, including substance abuse, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and bipolar disorder, upon request.

Clinicians can learn more about Genomind Professional PGx Express and the UHC coverage details at Genomind.com or by contacting Genominds customer service at 877-895-8658 or customerservice@genomind.com.

About Genomind Professional PGx Express (PGx Express)

Genomind Professional PGx Express is the most advanced and comprehensive mental health pharmacogenomic service available, bundling the results of a patients individual genetic profile with a set of services to support the patient and clinician in improving treatment outcomes. With a genetic profile obtained via a safe and painless cheek swab, Genomind offers two versions of its report. The full report analyzes potential variants on 24 pharmacokinetic or pharmacodynamic genes selected for inclusion based on guidelines from expert consortia and review of hundreds of peer-reviewed studies. Results include genetic information relevant for the treatment of conditions including depression, anxiety, autism, schizophrenia, chronic pain, bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and substance abuse. In addition, Genomind Professional PGx Express offers a CORE Anxiety and Depression Report, which focuses on a subset panel of the 15 genes most relevant to anxiety and depression, and which is currently covered by UnitedHealthcare for certain patients. For both the full and CORE reports, Genomind will provide medication specific results for the clinician report only.

In addition to the genetic profile, PGx Express offers:

About Genomind

Genomind is the leading mental healthcare company, delivering the genetic testing tools that empower clinicians to make more informed treatment decisions and create better outcomes for patients with mental illnesses. As the scientific leader in genetic testing, Genominds flagship offering is Genomind Professional PGx Express the most advanced and comprehensive mental health genetic service available. Supported by a world-class genetics lab and unique consultative approach, Genomind is advancing a new paradigm of personalized medicine in mental health care. Learn more at http://www.genomind.com.

i 1. Perlis R et al. Pharmacogenetic testing among patients with mood and anxiety disorders is associated with decreased utilization and cost: A propensityscore matched study. Depression and Anxiety, 2018. https://doi.org/10.1002/da.22742

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Genomind Supports New Reimbursement Initiatives and Patient Access to Mental Health Pharmacogenomic Tests with PGx Report Focused on Anxiety and...

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