Guardant Health announced that its Shield colorectal cancer screening blood test will now be covered by TRICARE for active‑duty service members and their families aged 45 and older, with no copay. This expands Shield’s reach to millions of U.S. military personnel and families, adding a significant new payer source.
Shield, which received FDA approval on July 29 2024 as the first and only blood test approved for primary colorectal cancer screening, is already covered by Medicare under Advanced Diagnostic Laboratory Test status. The TRICARE coverage builds on that regulatory foundation and positions Shield as a low‑cost, convenient option for a population that historically has lower screening rates.
The expansion leverages TRICARE’s nationwide network, giving Guardant access to a large, underserved market and reinforcing Shield’s competitive moat in precision oncology. By eliminating copays, the program removes a key financial barrier, potentially accelerating adoption and volume growth.
Co‑CEO AmirAli Talasaz emphasized the strategic importance of the move, saying the coverage “empowers service members to catch cancer early when it’s more treatable.” The announcement signals Guardant’s continued focus on expanding access to its early‑detection platform and could translate into incremental revenue as the TRICARE population adopts the test.
While the announcement does not include immediate financial figures, the addition of TRICARE as a payer is expected to broaden Shield’s commercial footprint and support Guardant’s long‑term growth trajectory in the colorectal cancer screening market.
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