Print this pageHow Technologies are selected for Review
Because of the length of the process, only a limited number of health technologies, fourteen in the first two years, will undergo this rigorous process. The medical devices, procedures, and diagnostic tests are selected based on concerns about whether the technology is safe, whether it works as intended, and whether it is cost-effective, especially when compared to alternatives or where there is a variation in how it is used. State agency physicians identify potential health technologies of concern. These topics are prioritized based on legislative requirements and criteria widely used in technology assessment priority setting. Agency recommendations are sent to the Administrator for selection. The public will also be able to petition for a technology to be reviewed, and the same criteria will be applied.
Documents
HTA Program Overview (35.3 KB)- Health Technology Selection Process Background (50.5 KB)
- Prioritization Criteria and Tools (61.5 KB)
- HTA Program Review (138.7 KB)
Next Steps
These technology topics will be posted for thirty (30) days to gather public comment. An impartial research firm, called a Technology Assessment Center, will then conduct a review of the evidence about safety, effectiveness, and cost comparisons and write a report that summarizes the evidence and the methods used to analyze it. These assessment reports typically take between two and six months to complete. Once the report has been completed, it is given to the Health Technology Clinical Committee. The clinicians on the committee will use the evidence report to decide whether the technology is shown to be safe and effective; whether Washington state agencies will pay for the technology; and under what circumstances. The initial review and decision process will take between six and twelve months, and technologies will be considered for re-review at least every eighteen months.
Key Terms
Health Technology is a broad term that includes: medical / surgical devices and procedures; medical equipment; and diagnostic tests. Health technologies range from simple items to complex tools or treatments, such as:
- Eye glasses or oxygen tanks
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
- Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS), “Gamma knife surgery”
- Acupuncture
Health technology does not include prescription drugs. For more information on prescription drug purchasing, see Health Care Authority’s Prescription Drug Program.
A health technology assessment is a study performed by researchers, generally individuals that have a clinical background and are trained in research methods. The assessment includes a systematic review of scientific evidence about the selected health technology. Evidence about a technology could include clinical trials, case studies, published research, and other materials. The assessment results in a conclusion or rating about whether, and to what extent, the scientific evidence demonstrates that the health technology is safe, works as intended, and is cost effective. Health technology reviews can be conducted for new and emerging technologies or for existing technologies that are used in new ways or where new information becomes available.
The Health Technology Clinical Committee is an independent group of eleven practicing physicians and other health care providers. The committee uses the evidence-based reports to make medical coverage decisions that apply to the participating state agencies.
