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For those looking to get a genetic test, calculating the cost can be difficult. Many basic professional genetic tests, such as a cardiac genetic test focusing on one or two genes, can cost anywhere from $100 on the low end to $2000. Larger tests can cost more and tend to return results slower than more focused tests.
Health Insurance and Genetic Testing
Most health insurances cover portions of doctor-prescribed genetic testing, but often the patient bears some of the cost. Different companies will have different coverage plans for genetic types of genetic testing. Contact your health insurance provider for more specific recommendations regarding genetic testing coverage. The Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008 prevents health insurance companies and employers from inquiring about genetic information for the purposes of employment or policy eligibility, disability, or premium-setting.
Medicare and Genetic Testing
Medicare covers parts of some tests, usually when the patient is showing symptoms of a disease or tests that help patients determine accurate dosage amounts. It does not currently provide funding for preventative genetic testing, with the singular exception being a regular screening for colorectal cancer. Additionally, Medicare requires a physician to order a test in order to cover any portion of the genetic test. Certain Medigap plans will supplement genetic testing where Medicare cannot.
Genetic Testing at Home
There are some genetic tests that can be administered from the comfort of your own home. These at-home tests are usually preventative, helping you know if you carry the genes for a genetic disease. These tests are often cheaper as they do not involve bloodwork, instead swabbing a cheek for cell tissue that is tested later in a lab. One such genetic test is Kardia Guard, an at-home, preventative cardiac genetic test.
Cost of Genetic Counseling
Genetic counseling is often highly recommended before and after any genetic test to help interpret results, formulate a medical action plan, and assess risk for any other diseases. Because of the more specialized field of genetic interpretation requires a slightly different skill set than most medical professionals have, genetic counselors are often used to supplement or inform decisions where other medical professionals have not received enough training or research. Genetic counselors often range from $150 to $3,000 per consultation session, depending on the type of test and results they are consulting for, the complexity of the research involved, and any additional consulting required for family testing.
