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Research Article: Development of a microcosting protocol to determine the economic cost of diagnostic genomic testing for rare diseases in Australia

Date Published: 2023-11-29

Abstract:
Introduction Genomic testing is a relatively new, disruptive and complex health technology with multiple clinical applications in rare diseases, cancer and infection control. Genomic testing is increasingly being implemented into clinical practice, following regulatory approval, funding and adoption in models of care, particularly in the area of rare disease diagnosis. A significant barrier to the adoption and implementation of genomic testing is funding. What remains unclear is what the cost of genomic testing is, what the underlying drivers of cost are and whether policy differences contribute to cost variance in different jurisdictions, such as the requirement to have staff with a medical license involved in testing. This costing study will be useful in future economic evaluations and health technology assessments to inform optimal levels of reimbursement and to support comprehensive and comparable assessment of healthcare resource utilisation in the delivery of genomic testing globally. Methods A framework is presented that focuses on uncovering the process of genomic testing for any given laboratory, evaluating its utilisation and unit costs, and modelling the cost drivers and overall expenses associated with delivering genomic testing. The goal is to aid in refining and implementing policies regarding both the regulation and funding of genomic testing. A process-focused (activity-based) methodology is outlined, which encompasses resources, assesses individual cost components through a combination of bottom-up and top-down microcosting techniques and allows disaggregation of resource type and process step. Ethics and dissemination The outputs of the study will be reported at relevant regional genetics and health economics conferences, as well as submitted to a peer-reviewed journal focusing on genomics. Human research ethics committee approval is not required for this microcosting study. This study does not involve research on human subjects, and all data used in the analysis are either publicly available.

Introduction:
Genomic testing holds the potential to transform diagnosis and health outcomes in rare diseases at scale. 1–3 Genomic testing is increasingly offered to individuals with rare diseases, particularly in childhood, as a first-line test. 4 Over the past decade, reimbursement for genetic testing with chromosomal microarray has added a small increment to the yield of the diagnostic workup in individuals with rare disorders. 5 Translational and clinical research studies have demonstrated substantial increases in…

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