Access for Medicaid Patients

The Washington State HCA’s denied coverage for Tumor Treating Fields preventing Washington Medicaid patients and public employees from accessing innovative therapies.

A Message From Our Founder

Medicaid Coverage in Washington State:

The Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA) is the largest health purchaser in the state, purchasing health care for more than 2.5 million Washington residents through Apple Health (Medicaid), the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) Program, the School Employees Benefits Board (SEBB) Program, and the COFA Islander Health Care Program.

Points of Interest

The Washington State HCA’s denied coverage for Tumor Treating Fields preventing Washington Medicaid patients and public employees from accessing this innovative therapy.
This ruling negatively impacts the state’s Medicaid population as well as tens of thousands of public employees. This includes individuals working in local and state government, higher education, and judicial agencies.
Referencing current data and clinical evidence, we are working on a campaign to request the HCA take measures to re-visit its initial ruling and ensure that Medicaid patients and public employees are afforded access to Tumor Treating Fields.
We know that creating a groundswell of support can help encourage decision-makers to act. Part of what makes us successful is identifying key individuals who can make a compelling case for why innovative technology needs to be included and reimbursed by state programs like the HCA.

Petition for Re-Review Denied

The petition for re-review of the non-coverage policy for Optune Gio, a Tumor Treating Field Device, was denied.
- This impacts both WA Medicaid patients and state employees.
- This was the first step to being able to participate in the formal process to overturn the policy, which was put in place in 2016.
- This is unconscionable given the Medicare coverage decision in 2019.
While this is an unfortunate complication, we are committed to doubling down on our efforts to ensure the denial is overturned.

ENDBRAINCANCER INITIATIVE | CHRIS ELLIOTT FUND

Enhancing patient outcomes by expanding FDA-approved treatment modalities and fueling research in the pharma/bio/life sciences, device & diagnostic industries and by closing the existing GAP from initial diagnosis to IMMEDIATE AND EXPANDED ACCESS to specialists, researchers, advanced & innovative treatments, clinical trials and critical care with the ultimate goal of improving patient outcomes through updating and improving WHO & NCCN Guidelines and clinical practices related to Standard of Care for brain cancer patients.

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