EXPANDING EVIDENCE-BASED TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT FOR COVERAGE IN WASHINGTON STATE.

Area of Science:

• Health Services Research
• Health Technology Assessment
• Public Health Policy

Background:

• Washington State agencies utilize a legislative mandate to inform coverage decisions for emerging medical technologies.
• A
• dossier
• process is initiated when advocates or manufacturers seek payment for new technologies from state healthcare purchasers.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe a novel, evidence-based method for screening and evaluating emerging medical technologies.
• To outline the Washington State dossier process for medical technology coverage decisions.
• To assess the value and efficiency of this process for public healthcare purchasers.

Main Methods:

• Advocates or manufacturers submit scientific evidence and information for review.
• Submitted dossiers are independently reviewed and summarized.
• Standardized coverage decisions are made for all public purchasers in Washington State.

Main Results:

• Twelve evidence-based coverage decisions were made over six years at a reduced cost compared to traditional health technology assessment.
• One health technology was approved for coverage.
• Ten technologies were not approved, and one did not require a coverage decision.

Conclusions:

• The evidence-based dossier process provides high-value coverage decisions for emerging medical technologies.
• This streamlined approach enhances efficiency for public healthcare purchasers in Washington State.
• The method supports informed decision-making regarding new medical technologies.