The policy change will allow patients in several states to access insurance covering the foundational assay for DermTech's noninvasive melanoma test.

DermTech, Inc., a leader in precision dermatology enabled by a non-invasive skin genomics technology, today announced a favorable coverage policy from Highmark Inc. (Highmark). Highmark and its Blue-branded affiliates provide health insurance to approximately 7 million members in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Delaware and New York. The Pigmented Lesion Assay (PLA), the foundational assay of the DMT, is an innovative, non-invasive way to rule out melanoma with a 99 percent negative predictive value (NPV).

“We are excited to take this first step with Highmark to provide access to our test for its membership,” said Chris Murphy, senior director of payer access, DermTech. “The test provides clinicians with objective and actionable genomic data for a suspicious lesion, and when integrated into the current melanoma care pathway, can potentially reduce the occurrence of unnecessary and invasive surgical procedures. Highmark is one of the largest Blues plans in the U.S. and we’re pleased to now work alongside 7 of the Top 10 Blues plans. We look forward to teaming up with Highmark to take the additional steps needed to allow for full availability of our test to its members in the next few months.”

DermTech’s total covered lives in the U.S. are approximately 133 million, which includes 68 million for Medicare/Medicare Advantage and 65 million for commercial and governmental payers.