Guardant Health rises on UnitedHealth coverage boost for colorectal cancer kit

Guardant Health

01/07/2026 18:27

** Shares of medical device maker Guardant Health rise 10.6% to $165.96
** Evercore ISI sees upside to UnitedHealthcare's expanded coverage for Shield, Guardant Health's GH.O blood-based colorectal cancer screening test
** Brokerage says UnitedHealthcare updated its Molecular Oncology Testing medical policy to cover Shield as medically necessary for average-risk colorectal cancer screening
** The policy applies to UnitedHealthcare's commercial and individual exchange plans, with coverage effective August 1
** Evercore ISI says the decision is notable because UnitedHealthcare is covering Shield as a first-line screening option, meaning it can be used without first requiring patients to decline or fail to complete other screening methods
** Brokerage adds that UnitedHealthcare's move could encourage other commercial insurers to provide similar coverage
** As of last close, UNH stock was up ~29% YTD 

 (Reporting by Padmanabhan Ananthan)
 ((Padmanabhan.Ananthan@thomsonreuters.com))