Lucid Diagnostics Inc. (Nasdaq: LUCD), a commercial-stage cancer prevention medical diagnostics company, has announced two significant developments in its strategy to expand access to its EsoGuard Esophageal DNA Test, a non-invasive screening tool for esophageal precancer and cancer.
First Concierge Medicine Contract Established
In February 2025, Lucid Diagnostics entered into its first concierge medicine contract with LEAA Health, providing LEAA's membership-based patients access to the EsoGuard Esophageal DNA Test on a cash-pay basis. This partnership represents a strategic move to generate contractually-guaranteed revenue while the company continues to pursue broader insurance coverage.
"We are thrilled to enter into our first concierge medicine contract with LEAA Health to expand access to EsoGuard precancer testing," said Shaun O'Neil, Lucid's President and Chief Operating Officer. "We have committed to growing contractually-guaranteed EsoGuard revenue in parallel with our intensive efforts to secure Medicare and commercial coverage."
The concierge medicine market in the United States is projected to reach $10.9 billion by 2032, according to the 2024 Annual Report from Concierge Medicine Today, reflecting increasing demand for personalized, prevention-focused healthcare services.
Isaak N. Yakubov, Founder and CEO of LEAA Health, emphasized the alignment with their mission: "This partnership with Lucid aligns perfectly with LEAA Health's mission to provide top-tier, personalized healthcare solutions to our patients. EsoGuard represents a groundbreaking approach to esophageal precancer detection, allowing us to identify potential issues at an early stage when intervention can be most effective."
Landmark Commercial Insurance Coverage Secured
In a significant breakthrough announced in March 2025, Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield, an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, has issued a positive coverage policy for non-invasive screening of esophageal precancer and cancer in New York state. This policy will cover Lucid's EsoGuard test for patients who meet established criteria for esophageal precancer testing consistent with professional society guidelines.
Dr. Lishan Aklog, Lucid's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, called this development "a landmark event for Lucid" and added, "We believe that this decision will serve as a precedent to drive positive policy coverage decisions from other commercial insurers and further validates the strength of our clinical evidence base."
This marks the first positive commercial insurance coverage policy for the EsoGuard test, potentially paving the way for broader insurance adoption across the country.
Clinical Significance of EsoGuard Testing
The EsoGuard Esophageal DNA Test addresses a critical need in the management of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a condition affecting millions of patients who are at risk of developing esophageal precancer and cancer.
The test is performed on samples collected during a brief, non-invasive office procedure using Lucid's EsoCheck Esophageal Cell Collection Device. Together, these tools represent the first and only commercially available solution designed specifically for widespread, early detection of esophageal precancer in at-risk patients.
Early detection of esophageal precancer is crucial, as it allows for intervention before progression to cancer, potentially saving lives through preventive measures rather than treating advanced disease.
Strategic Implications
These developments reflect Lucid's multi-faceted approach to market penetration:
- Targeting the growing concierge medicine market for direct cash-pay revenue
- Pursuing commercial insurance coverage to expand accessibility
- Building clinical evidence to support broader adoption
As a subsidiary of PAVmed Inc. (Nasdaq: PAVM), Lucid Diagnostics continues to focus on cancer prevention through early detection, positioning its EsoGuard test as an essential tool in the management of GERD patients at risk for esophageal cancer.
The company remains engaged with commercial insurers across the country as it seeks to expand access to EsoGuard precancer testing, with the Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield decision potentially serving as an important precedent for future coverage decisions.
