Genetic tests for breast cancer gene mutations will again be covered for some Tricare beneficiaries under a new program, the Pentagon announced this week.

Tricare providers will accept patients for the tests, commonly known as BRCA1 and BRCA2, beginning Sept. 30. Coverage will be retroactive to May 22, according to a release from the Tricare Management Activity.

The Oncotype DX Breast Cancer Assay, a test that analyzes tumor tissue at the molecular level, also will be covered under the same demonstration program, according to Tricare.

Before this year, Tricare or the individual services offered the BRCA cancer screenings for high-risk individuals under special programs, research projects and at some military treatment facilities. But in January, Tricare stopped covering the tests after a decision by the American Medical Association placed the non-FDA approved screenings on the Pentagon’s “No Government Pay List.”

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