June 26, 2020:
As announced in May
, Link·age has partnered with Boston-based biotech company
Orig3n, Inc.
to begin offering a COVID-19 testing solution for residents and staff of any organization. Testing capacity has been a challenge in many states across the country as demand in post-acute care has quickly risen to the forefront.
One of the Highest Accuracy Ratings in the Market
Orig3n, Inc. developed breakthrough (RT-PCT) testing that performs qualitative detection of nucleic acid from SARS-CoV-2 to identify individuals actively infected with COVID-19 regardless of symptomatic presentation.
This testing method received U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) authorization on April 10, 2020 under an FDA Emergency Use Authorization, and boasts a 99% sensitivity and 100% specificity rating - one of the highest accuracy ratings in the COVID-19 testing market.
RT-PCT testing is recommended for accuracy, particularly in light of recent
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)
guidance
which states that “an antibody test at this time does not meet the ADA’s ‘job related and consistent with business necessity’ standard for medical examinations or inquiries for current employees."
The EEOC guidance was
highlighted in a recent McKnight's article,
and members should consider
avoiding these antibody tests to prevent future litigation.
Fast, Cost-effective Testing Solution with High Output
Orig3n, Inc.'s CLIA-certified lab delivers results online within 24 to 36 hours after specimen arrival into the lab.
The lab boasts output capabilities of 6,000 and up to 12,000 tests per day, and will offer billing to Medicare where appropriate. Orig3n, Inc. has partnered with Link-age to bring these tests to members at a largely reduced cost.
Satisfies CMS Recommendations for Weekly Re-testing
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently released COVID-19 testing guidance which recommends “a single baseline COVID-19 test, with re-testing of all staff continuing every week.” CMS also recommends testing of all residents, and “weekly re-testing of all nursing home residents until all residents test negative.”
The CMS guidance does not include the funding and resources needed to meet the recommendations, and many providers have experienced increased pressures as a result
.
Some states, like Ohio, are using the National Guard to facilitate a baseline test of staff and resident. Ongoing retesting plans are typically not included in these state action plans.
Link·age worked with Orig3n, Inc. to help streamline the process, eliminate uncertainty, and improve efficiencies within the testing process for providers.
Questions on Orig3n, Inc.'s testing solution can be sent to Annette Hutchins, Dir. Strategic Accounts, at
[email protected]
.
