Original from: Guardant Health

Guardant Health, Inc. (Nasdaq: GH), a leading precision oncology company, today announced its Shield™ blood test for colorectal cancer screening (CRC) is now covered for eligible UnitedHealth Group (UHG) members, making it the first major commercial insurer to provide coverage for adults 45 or older amid rising CRC rates for adults under 65 and mortality for younger adults as the leading cause of cancer death for those under 50.

Shield is the first and only FDA-approved blood test for primary colorectal cancer screening in average-risk adults age 45 and older and can be completed with just a blood draw during a routine doctor’s visit, offering Americans a more accessible screening option that overcomes the barriers associated with traditional methods.

Approximately 40 million Americans are covered by UHG’s plans, including members under employer and individual plans, beneficiaries covered by Medicare Advantage and individuals with supplemental Medicare coverage. The updated policy coverage from UHG offers those above the age of 45 and at average risk of colorectal cancer access to the latest innovation in colorectal cancer screening.

“More than 100 million people across America now have access to the Shield blood test,” said AmirAli Talasaz, Guardant Health co-CEO. “With the rising rates of colorectal cancer in younger people, expanding Shield coverage through United, the nation’s largest commercial health insurer, to the 45+ population as a primary screening option marks a critical milestone in our commercial expansion to make colorectal cancer screening more accessible.”

Demonstrating strong clinical performance and real-world evidence published in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM), Shield is the only FDA-approved blood test included in both ACS and National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines.

Source: UnitedHealth Group Now Covers Guardant Health’s Shield Blood Test for Colorectal Cancer Screening