Estimation of the value-based price of a blood test for Alzheimer's disease pathology in primary and specialty care in the U.S.

backgroundBlood tests for the pathology of Alzheimer's disease (AD) are emerging as alternative to amyloid PET scans and analysis of cerebrospinal fluid. (CSF). However, their economic value, which depends on test accuracy as well as effect on clinical decision-making, remains unclear.

methodsWe use a Markov model to estimate the value-based price of a blood test with sensitivity of 88 % and specificity of 89 %, if labeled for triage and confirmation of the AD pathology in primary and specialty care. The value-based price was defined as price of the test, at which overall diagnostic cost per true positive case of early-stage AD would equate that under standard of care (identification in primary care and referral to specialty care based on the results of a brief cognitive test). Assumptions for the effect of test use on clinical decisions came from a structured expert consultation process.

resultsIf used in primary care, the value-based price would be $290 for a triage and $1150 for a confirmatory test, respectively, as use of PET or CSF testing would decline by 47 % and 86 %, respectively. If used in specialty care, i.e., after confirmation of early-stage cognitive impairment, the overall number of blood tests would decline. Consequently, the value-based price would increase to $450 for a triage test and $1950 for a confirmatory test.

conclusionsThe results project substantial cost savings from implementing a blood test for AD pathology within the diagnostic pathway based on modeling results, which future research should confirm with actual data.