BT Test For Breast Cancer Now Covered By Insurance

Main Category: Breast Cancer
Also Included In: Health Insurance / Medical Insurance;  Women's Health / Gynecology
Article Date: 01 May 2008 - 1:00 PDT

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Provista Life Sciences LLC (PLS) announced it will file private insurance claims on behalf of women who take the BT Test™ and cover 100 percent of the test's cost not covered by insurance. The BT Test is a blood test that assists in the early detection of breast cancer. For women who do not wish to submit an insurance claim, the BT Test is now available at a cost of $295.

"We have early indication from private insurance companies that they are able to cover the cost of the BT Test, making it even more accessible to women who previously had to pay out-of-pocket for the test," said Joel Bird, Vice President of Reimbursement Strategies at Provista Life Sciences.

The BT Test, or Biomarker Translation Test, is prescribed by physicians and is used in conjunction with an annual mammogram to assist in making an earlier and more accurate diagnosis of breast cancer. The BT Test finds multiple cancer-related proteins in the blood and combines the results with the patient's medical profile to help physicians find breast cancer as early as possible. When detected early, breast cancer has a 96 percent survival rate.

"With an accuracy rate above 80 percent, the BT Test gives women and their doctors another crucial measure for early breast cancer detection," said Will Gartner, President and CEO at Provista Life Sciences. "We are thrilled to be able to offer more women the opportunity to catch the disease in its treatable phase, when life-saving treatment is most effective."

According to the American Cancer Society, women over the age of 40, especially those at higher risk for breast cancer, should be screened for breast cancer annually. The BT Test is available to all women ages 35 to 75, and is strongly recommended by many gynecologists and breast surgeons for women at heightened risk for breast cancer and those under age 50 whose breast density can make it more difficult for a mammogram to detect the presence of cancer.

The BT Test requires a simple blood draw that is sent to Provista Diagnostics, a CLIA (Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments) registered Reference Laboratory, and a wholly owned subsidiary of Provista Life Sciences, to be analyzed. The results of the breast cancer test are then sent to the prescribing physician to review with the patient.

Provista Life Sciences is currently working with physicians in Arizona to offer the BT Test as part of a comprehensive annual breast health examination and anticipates making the test available to additional markets in 2008. Healthcare providers and women interested in learning more about the BT Test can call 602-224-5500.

About Provista Life Sciences

Provista Life Sciences is a biotechnology diagnostics development and commercialization organization that provides the scientific and operating management resources to rapidly advance the development and introduction of novel diagnostics technologies into the domestic and global marketplace.

http://www.ProvistaLS.com