BRCA genetic testing utilization and expenditures among privately insured adults in the United States, 2013 to 2022

Recent clinical guidelines have broadened the criteria for BRCA counseling and testing for women and men, including indications based on family history, personal history, and current diagnosis of breast, ovarian, pancreatic, and prostate cancer.

Using claims data from 2013 to 2022, we identified BRCA testing using procedure codes to evaluate annual utilization, median expenditures per enrollee, and the percentage of 0 out-of-pocket expenditures by sex among enrollees aged 18 to 64 years who were continuously enrolled within calendar years. We examined BRCA utilization by metropolitan status and indications.

Annual BRCA testing utilization among women (and men) increased 10.2% (44.5%) per year during 2014 to 2015 and 1.7% (10.0%) per year during 2016 to 2019, decreased 34.4% (44.8%) in 2020, and rebounded 8.5% (22.3%) per year during 2021 to 2022, remaining below prepandemic levels in 2022. Median expenditures for comprehensive BRCA testing per enrollee decreased by 68% from 2013 to 2022, most of whom had 0 out-of-pocket expenditures. Most BRCA testing was done based on family health history of breast, ovarian, or prostate cancer and among women aged 18 to 50 years.

Health care providers who are knowledgeable about evolving indications for germline BRCA testing can help ensure that eligible individuals have access to germline BRCA testing as preventive service.