title: A health plan's integration of molecular diagnostics and the impact on treatment pathways for quality care.
abstract: This Mid-Atlantic area Blues plan views genetic biomarkers as an important advancement in predicting recurrence rates and response to chemotherapy in estrogen-receptor-positive, node-negative, HER2-negative women with early-stage breast cancer. Care-First's Pay for Quality oncology program strives to combine clinically sound treatment with stable outcomes and predictable costs.
authors.affiliation: Pharmacy Management, CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, Baltimore, USA.
authors.forename: Winston
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Wong
mesh_terms: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D054598:Blue Cross Blue Shield Insurance Plans; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology*; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D003363:Cost Control; D019091:Critical Pathways; D005260:Female; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D018734:Genes, erbB-2; D023281:Genomics / Q000191:economics / Q000639:trends*; D006801:Humans; D008329:Managed Care Programs; D008495:Medical Oncology / Q000191:economics / Q000639:trends*; D008873:Mid-Atlantic Region; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D019982:Organizational Case Studies; D011379:Prognosis; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor