RE: Draft Local Coverage Determination: Molecular Diagnostic Testing (PATH-037) CMS ID
#DL33219
Donna Mandella
Suite 600
501 Grant Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
donna.mandella@novitas-solutions.com
I live in the area served by WPS. I am writing regarding the proposed policy that would have
WPS Medicare not cover genetic testing for Long QT.
I strongly support coverage of genetic testing for LQTS. This is a condition that can affect
younger people who are Medicare beneficiaries or older people. The condition is not always
identified early in life. It can be identified later and still has a dramatic impact on one’s life,
including life-threatening cardiac events.
The type of LQTS a person has is important for 2 reasons.
1) The different genetic types have a different course and triggers for events. Knowing the
genetic type helps us make life plans.
2) The genetic type directly affects the type and timing of treatment that is appropriate, eg
need for and timing of getting an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator.
This is a condition where the consequence of not identifying the genetic type and taking
appropriate action results in early death. We take it very seriously.
Thank you.