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Pharmacogenomic tests for insurers

Reduce disability-related costs through pharmacogenomics and improve the health and well-being of your policyholders

Pharmacogenomic (PGx) tests can help healthcare professionals make better medication choices to accelerate recovery, prevent absenteeism and reduce disability benefits payable to policyholders.

What is a pharmacogenomic or PGx testing?

Pharmacogenomic testing (PGx) is now a key tool for insurance companies. Its aim is to establish the compatibility of a drug with a patient’s metabolism, based on a DNA test. With PGx testing, healthcare professionals can determine whether a drug has an increased risk of being ineffective or causing significant side effects in a particular patient. Thus, these tests reduce trial-and-error periods by helping healthcare professionals find the right treatment for a patient’s specific needs faster, based on their genetic profile.

Mental health—a major issue with disability and presenteeism

More than a third of disability claims are due to mental health reasons. [1]
40% of employees reported being less productive due to the side effects of their medication. [2]
Two thirds of patients do not achieve remission from a major depression following their initial antidepressant treatment. [3]
Roughly 40% of patients taking antidepressants experience at least one side effect. [4]

The benefits of pharmacogenomic testing for insurers

Reducing claims and shortening disability periods

With the right treatment for mental health disorders or pain management, your policyholders can stay on the job or shorten their period of disability.
Reducing claims and shortening disability periods

Faster treatment

By guiding the medication choices of policyholders based on their genetics, you help reduce trial-and-errors, as well as the duration of absences and related costs.
Faster treatment

Reducing the costs of ineffective medications

Biron Genetic’s PGx test can help guide medication choices and thus reduce treatment costs for insurers.
Reducing the costs of ineffective medications

Improving the well-being of policyholders

Ineffective treatment can greatly impact your clients’ daily lives and weight on their mental and physical health. By tailoring the treatment to their DNA, their well-being can be significantly improved.
Improving the well-being of policyholders

When should insurers use pharmacogenomic testing?

  • In group insurance plans
  • When managing disability claims
  • When absenteeism or presenteeism is an issue

The benefits of pharmacogenomic testing are measurable

Sources: Internal data and [5].

The benefits of the Biron pharmacogenomic (PGx) tests

Support for plan managers

Support for plan managers

A dedicated portal for your policyholders

A dedicated portal for your policyholders

Report covering 145 medications used to treat mental health and pain problems

Report covering 145 medications used to treat mental health and pain problems

Rapid results within 10 days

Rapid results within 10 days

Data security and confidentiality

Data security and confidentiality

Accreditations and certifications

Alongside these advantages, Biron Genetics holds a number of accreditations and certifications that testify to our commitment to data security and clinical excellence.

Our laboratory is CAP certified – College of American Pathologists

Our laboratory is CAP certified – College of American Pathologists

Our systems are Soc2 Type II accredited

Our systems are Soc2 Type II accredited

Pharmacogenomic tests for insurers

High clinical relevance

The panel of genes tested with the Biron Mental Health test is the most extensive and the most relevant for psychiatry and ADHD, compared with other tests currently available in Canada.

Want to learn more about how pharmacogenomics can help you?

Want to learn more about how pharmacogenomics can help you?

Our team of experts is available

FAQ

Do insurers have access to the results of the reports?

How is the data secured?

For how long are the results valid?

Sources5
  1. https://www.benefitscanada.com/benefits/health-benefits/more-than-a-third-of-disability-claims-in-2022-due-to-mental-health-reasons-survey/
  2. Cascade et al. (2009) Psychiatry (Edgmont) 6(2):16-18.
  3. Trivedi et al. (2006) Am J Psych 163, 28-40.
  4. [Cascade et al. Psychiatry (2009) 163, 28-40]
  5. Brown et al. (2022) Clin Pharmacol Ther 112(6):1303-1317.