Zhiben Medical Launches China's First Tumor Genomic Testing and Treatment Insurance, Integrating Commercial Insurance into Precision Oncology Payment

Recently, ZhiBen Medical Technology announced that it will join forces with Beijing Jianyibao, which specializes in insurance innovation for patient populations, and Shanghai Nuohui Medical, which focuses on payment insurance for patients with serious illnesses, to launch China’s first innovative payment insurance plan targeting tumor testing and therapeutic medications. This is also the first commercial cancer insurance product in China that combines next-generation sequencing (NGS) testing with a designated formulary of insured drugs. By deeply integrating genetic testing, clinical diagnosis and treatment, and insurance coverage, this initiative further promotes the innovation and development of precision medicine in China.

It is reported that the program, titled “Insurance for Combined Tumor Testing, Medication, and Diagnosis/Treatment,” is underwritten by a well-known domestic life insurance company. As the first initiative in China to integrate commercial insurance with payment for cancer genetic testing and pharmacotherapy, this represents a new exploration by Geneseeq Technology Inc. in developing innovative solutions to meet patient needs. In its initial phase, the diagnostic and treatment insurance will cover breast cancer patients with ERBB2 (HER2) and BRCA1/2 gene mutations, as well as lung cancer patients with EGFR, ALK, and ROS1 gene mutations, with plans to expand to other cancer types in the future.

Upon undergoing tumor genetic testing using Benesure Medical Technology’s next-generation sequencing (NGS) platform and consenting to insurance enrollment, patients are eligible to receive complimentary commercial medical insurance. During the coverage period, if tumor progression occurs despite adherence to the prescribed treatment guidelines, patients may receive compensation of up to RMB 20,000.

According to the latest national cancer statistics released by the National Cancer Center in 2018, an estimated 3.804 million new cases of malignant tumors occurred nationwide (2.114 million in males and 1.690 million in females). On average, seven people are diagnosed with cancer every minute, and the lifetime risk of developing cancer exceeds 30% for every individual.

The launch of tumor detection and commercial insurance coverage for medication and treatment represents an exploration specifically targeting lung cancer and breast cancer, the most prevalent cancers among men and women, respectively. This enables genetic testing to provide patients with innovative, personalized medical services while also offering them tangible financial protection.

As China’s healthcare reforms deepen, the multi-dimensional DRG-based payment model will become a focal point of health insurance payment reform. Meanwhile, with rising household incomes, heightened insurance awareness, and innovations in insurance products and distribution channels, there is substantial potential for future growth.

The “integrated diagnosis and treatment” insurance product jointly launched by Jianyibao, Nuohui, and Burning Rock represents a collaborative effort to explore standardized diagnostic and therapeutic pathways, as well as an endorsement of the quality of Burning Rock’s genetic testing technologies. Through scenario-based diagnostic and treatment insurance, this model is poised to effectively reduce patients’ financial risks, provide a robust supplement and safeguard to the existing medical insurance system, and achieve a breakthrough in the practical integration of precision medicine with commercial health insurance.

Qin Ying, COO of Geneseeq Technologies, stated, “The future development of precision medicine will be deeply integrated with clinical management, hospital administration, and healthcare reform, particularly in the field of major diseases such as cancer. The launch of bundled solutions covering tumor testing, medication, diagnosis, treatment, and insurance more closely links genetic testing, clinical care, and commercial health insurance. This creates a win-win scenario for physicians, patients, and commercial insurers, further advancing precision medicine while providing patients with more tangible financial protection. It also reflects Geneseeq’s confidence in and responsibility for its testing results.”

Geneseeq Technology (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. specializes in the R&D of international high-tech innovations and their clinical translation in oncology. It is committed to advancing clinical testing for hundreds of cancer-related genes, providing comprehensive and accurate molecular-level information for each patient to assist physicians in delivering precision medicine, thereby driving innovation in the clinical treatment of cancer patients in China.