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31-10-2024

CHIF will reimburse three modern oncogenetic tests

Iliustracija

From 1 February 2025, the Compulsory Health Insurance Fund (CHIF) will reimburse patients for three more expensive genetic tests to help diagnose cancer more accurately and find the best treatment for each patient. 

Aurimas Pečkauskas, Minister of Health, points out that as the State’s capacity grows, it is essential that its benefits reach patients directly. “Considering the amount of oncological diseases in the country, a number of relevant tests for the treatment of these diseases are already reimbursed. These include prevention programmes, a wide range of diagnostic tests, therapeutic and surgical treatment options, but the funding of genetic tests marks a step towards even more accurate diagnosis and treatment. We are opening the door to personalised medicine. This will give hope to thousands of patients and their relatives, and will provide doctors with advanced and modern tools for their clinical work,” said A. Pečkauskas. 

The CHIF will start to reimburse tumour molecular genetic testing by DNA sequencing, tumour molecular karyotyping and tumour genome methylation testing, which will be available to medical doctors working in the six oncology cluster institutions - oncologist chemotherapist (for adults), paediatric hematologists-oncologists (for children), or a specialist with another professional qualification (member of a multidisciplinary team of specialists) treating a patient for a suspected or confirmed oncological disease.    

The CHIF budget for new research is expected to be around EUR 1.9 million per year. 

“Oncological diseases are the second most common cause of death in Lithuania, which is why the state pays so much attention to their prevention, diagnosis and treatment. The accuracy of the tests is crucial in selecting the most effective treatment, which significantly increases the chances of living a longer quality life or a full recovery. That is why we strive to provide Lithuanian patients with the most advanced tests that modern medical science has to offer,” says Inga Zelbienė, Head of the Specialised Health Care Division of the Personal Health Care Department of the MOH. 

CHIF is currently reimbursing advanced genetic testing for next-generation sequencing of blood tumours, which allows haematologists to tailor treatment to patients. The study of tumour molecular genetics by DNA sequencing will also allow the genetic composition of solid tumours to be studied in detail. Unlike the current national genetic tests for solid tumours, which only look at one or a few specific gene changes, molecular genetics testing using DNA sequencing will allow dozens of genes to be tested at once. This will help to detect genetic targets with sensitivity and specificity, and to target more effective treatments for each patient, reducing the risk of side effects.   

Tumour molecular karyotyping and tumour genome methylation studies are crucial for the accurate diagnosis of central tumour system oncologic diseases, for determining the prognosis of the disease, and for the selection of targeted therapy. 

Other expensive tests, such as CT scans, MRIs, positron emission tomography with fluorodeoxyglucose, etc., are also available for patients with oncological diseases.

Ministry of Health Communication Division

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Last updated: 28-11-2024

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