Technology Evaluation Center

Categories: Encourage Research on What Works

Each of the 39 Blue Plans across the country, including Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, has access to evidence-based healthcare technology assessments produced by the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association's Technology Evaluation Center (TEC).  Founded in 1985, TEC pioneered the development of scientific criteria for assessing the effectiveness of medical devices, procedures and biological products through comprehensive reviews of clinical evidence.  Averaging 15 to 20 assessments per year - each based on a synthesis of available evidence - TEC provides healthcare decision-makers with timely, objective and scientifically rigorous technology evaluations that inform coverage decisions, quality measures, educational materials, guidelines and research agendas.

The assessments performed by TEC - which is also one of 14 Evidence-based Practice Centers (EPCs) for the U.S. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality - are based on objective clinical and scientific evidence and evaluate whether a technology improves health outcomes such as length of life, quality of life and ability to function.  TEC most recently has taken a national leadership role in the evaluation and analysis of evidence in the rapidly proliferating area of genetic testing and pharmacogenomics (i.e., how a person's genetic make-up interacts with a drug's effectiveness).