Replies to post #6909 on Health Discovery Corp (HDVY)

[Zenos Arrow]

Board

Called HDC today and spoke with Dr. Madyastha. Rally’s question yesterday prompted me to inquire about the cost of testing as it is reimbursed by Medicare.

I first asked him if they were going to use current CPT codes or do they have to lobby for any. He confirmed what Dr. Barnhill told me – which was yes, the coding is already in place. He wasn’t able to give me the exact codes when I asked, but I understand that. MDs rarely need to know that detail. I told him I needed them to come up with an estimate on the price. I then asked him if he knew.

At this point I feel a little bad. I spoke with HDC three times now and I’m not sure if everything they tell me was either meant to be confidential or they slipped due to my persistence. I certainly don't want to misquote or getting anyone in trouble.

Anyway, he said it will be expensive (I threw out some numbers) and he finally said minimum $300. He also said people would be happy to pay that price due to … and then he went into the entire technology … reducing painful and unnecessary biopsies etc… I did want him to clarify the word “people.” I said you don’t mean patients, do you? If you are talking about patients, then that could only mean a lack of reimbursement from 3rd party payers. He was very adamant in saying that was not the case, and that Medicare will be more than happy to pay for this test because it will be saving $1500 - $2,000 of biopsy cost per patient. Incidentally, that is true if you figure the cost of our screening test will eliminate the need for up to 15 additional prostate biopsies.

He did say something interesting. He said to call back in a month and they will be able to answer my question more specifically.

Cheers,

[you_asked_for_it]

You are a very rare sign of intelligent life here, so I am not going to argue with you. But what you are missing is that I am having a little fun with these characters. At the same time I am trying to stimulate their brain cells so as to make them useful, but apparently to no avail.

OK, you were not referring to the Gen-Probe PAC3 test. I thought you might be, since that is the only gene expression prostate cancer test that I am aware of that is covered by Medicare. And it gives a good apples-to-apples indication on how the HDVY urine test could be accepted by Medicare.

Again, typically the PCA3 test is done after a negative biopsy, that would have been prompted by an elevated PSA test. It is not indicated for use in place of, or in conjunction with PSA, as a screening test.

Let's call it around $275. And Medicare should be thrilled to pay that to avoid unnecessary biopsies and end of life treatments for cancers that might have been cured with early intervention. Contrary to popular belief, many cancers are cured with the treatments that are currently available.

Bottom line is, the HDVY-Quest-Abbott PC screening test is very likely superior to the PCA3 test, both in sensitivity and specificity. Medicare should have no problem covering it, when it becomes available commercially (initially as a laboratory developed test). Do you concur, Mr Zeno?