PHOENIX – The Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) today announced pilot coverage, contingent upon federal approval from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, of medically necessary Rapid Whole Genome Sequencing testing for Medicaid-enrolled children under one year of age who meet criteria.
Rapid Whole Genome Sequencing testing is used to evaluate critically ill infants up to one year of age who are admitted for inpatient hospital services and meet other medical criteria. It is considered an emerging method of diagnosing genetic conditions.
Funding for the pilot program was authorized by the Arizona State Legislature in 2023 and expires in June 2026 if not extended.
The results of these member and family surveys will inform the second evaluation of the State’s progress to protect vulnerable adults. The surveys, and the evaluation, are conducted by the University of Arizona’s Sonoran Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities
When approved, Rapid Whole Genome Sequencing testing will be added to the AHCCCS State Plan Amendments.
