A centralized approach to out-of-province genetic testing leads to cost savings: The Alberta Experience.

Lilley M, Christian S, Blumenschein P, Chan S, Somerville M.

Source

Genetic Laboratory Services, Alberta Health Services, 8-26 Medical Sciences Building, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, CANADA, T6B 0K9. Margaret.Lilley@albertahealthservices.ca.

Abstract

The Genetic Resource Centre is a centralized process for requesting genetic testing that is not available within the province (Alberta, Canada). In order to assess potential cost savings associated with this process, all applications received by the Genetic Resource Centre in 2010 were reviewed, and cost savings were recorded for statistical analysis. Seven areas of cost savings were identified:Negotiated pricing;Laboratory selection;Testing set up in province;Duplicate testing;Inappropriate testing;Sequential testing and;Testing offered within the province. The total test cost of the 615 applications submitted in 2010 without the GRC process would have been $766 783 (Canadian dollars). A total cost savings of $112 201 was achieved through the GRC, which represents 15% of the total cost of requested testing ($112 201/$766 783). This is the first study to examine areas of cost savings for genetic testing sent out -of-province. The greatest cost savings resulted from the areas of laboratory selection and negotiated pricing. A centralized process to manage out-of-province genetic test requests results in consistency in testing and significant cost savings.
© 2012 John Wiley & Sons A/S.