The policy from Concert identifies the test as medically necessary for patients meeting specific screening criteria for esophageal precancer.
Lucid Diagnostics announced that Concert issued a positive coverage policy for the EsoGuard Esophageal DNA Test.
The policy, which became effective in July 2026, applies to the noninvasive screening of esophageal precancer and cancer. Concert, which was recently acquired by Lyric, develops coverage policies that its client health plans can choose to adopt.
The policy considers the DNA test medically necessary for patients who meet screening criteria established by the American College of Gastroenterology. The decision is based on evidence from published guidelines and peer-reviewed literature that demonstrate improved health outcomes, according to Lucid Diagnostics.
“Securing this coverage policy is a another significant step toward broad commercial coverage of EsoGuard, as Concert’s policies drive adoption by the health plans it serves,” says Lishan Aklog, MD, Lucid’s CEO, in a release. “We are encouraged that multiple Concert client health plans have already adopted this coverage policy, further validating the strength of our clinical evidence base. We remain deeply engaged with all of our commercial insurers and their benefit managers across the country as we seek to expand access to EsoGuard precancer testing.”
The test is performed on samples collected during a noninvasive office procedure using the EsoCheck Esophageal Cell Collection Device. It is intended for patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease, also known as chronic heartburn, who are at risk of developing esophageal precancer and cancer.
