Genetic Testing
Genetic testing is a type of medical laboratory test that identifies changes in chromosomes, genes, or proteins. The results of a genetic test can confirm or rule out a suspected genetic condition or help determine a person’s chance of developing or passing on a genetic disorder.
More than 2,000 genetic tests are currently in use, and more are being developed.
Several methods can be used for genetic testing:
- Chromosomal genetic tests analyze whole chromosomes or long lengths of DNA to see if there are large genetic changes, such as an extra copy of a chromosome, that cause a genetic condition.
- Biochemical genetic tests study the amount or activity level of proteins; abnormalities in either can indicate changes to the DNA that result in a genetic disorder.
Different types of genetic tests include:
- Diagnostic testing is used to precisely identify the disease that is making a person ill. The results of a diagnostic test may help you make choices about how to treat or manage the patient’s health.
- Predictive and pre-symptomatic genetic tests are used to find gene changes that increase a person’s likelihood of developing diseases. The results of these tests provide information about a patient’s risk of developing a specific disease. Such information may be useful in decisions about lifestyle and healthcare.
- Companion diagnostics are in vitro diagnostic devices or imaging tools that provide information essential for the safe and effective use of a corresponding therapeutic product for a specific individual, based on his or her DNA.
- Carrier testing is used to find people who “carry” a change in a gene that is linked to disease. Carriers may show no signs of the disease; however, they have the ability to pass on the gene change to their children, who may develop the disease or become carriers themselves. Some diseases require a gene change to be inherited from both parents for the disease to occur.
- Prenatal testing is offered during pregnancy to help identify fetuses that have certain diseases.
- Newborn screening is used to test babies one or two days after birth to find out if they have certain diseases known to cause problems with health and development.
- Pharmacogenomic testing gives information about how certain medicines are processed by an individual’s body. This type of testing can help healthcare providers choose medicines that work best with a patient’s genetic makeup.
- Research genetic testing is used to learn more about the contributions of genes to health and to disease. Sometimes the results may not be directly helpful to participants, but they may benefit others by helping researchers expand their understanding of the human body, health, and disease.
Advancing research into the human genome and ongoing interest in personalized medicine are both driving an increasing volume of genetic testing for clinical laboratories.
Misinterpreted Gene Test Shows Lab Got it Right
CEO SUMMARY: It’s almost a case of man bites dog. In malpractice cases involving genetic test results, labs are often assumed to be at fault. But in a lawsuit filed in Oregon, healthcare providers are alleged to have misinterpreted a genetic test. As a consequence, a patient underwent m…
50,000 Patients to Retest After Invitae Finds Errors
CEO SUMMARY: In recent weeks, a client notified Invitae of discordant results on a patient. The notification caused the genetic testing company to discover it had a systemic error that failed to test for a specific rare mutation associated with inherited cancer. Company officials believe …
Issues Encountered with Anthem’s Pre-approval
CEO SUMMARY: Since Anthem and AIM Specialty Health began a prior-authorization program for genetic testing July 1, a Northeast lab has not had any genetic tests approved through the new system. Physicians told the lab that the steps required for prior authorization were disruptive. Those …
Anthem Launches Program to Manage Genetic Tests
CEO SUMMARY: Pre-authorization of genetic tests is coming to physicians serving patients insured by Anthem, Inc. Its specialty benefits management company, AIM Specialty Health, will manage the program. AIM will work with InformedDNA, a company that specializes in genetic testing clinical…
Lab’s Low Gene Test Price Gets Insurers’ Attention
CEO SUMMARY: At a time when most molecular and genetic testing companies are struggling to gain coverage for their tests, this Silicon Valley-based lab company has become an in-network lab provider for a number of health insurers—including three of the nation’s largest payers. It did …
Health Insurers Want More Data On Clinical Utility of Molecular, Genetic Tests
CEO SUMMARY: Genetic tests that lack two essentials are troublesome for the nation’s health insurers. Those essentials are clinical validity and clinical utility. During a recent webinar, two executives from major health insurers stressed the need for genetic testing labs to provide acc…
Health System Lab Is Genotyping To Identify Best Drugs for Patients
CEO SUMMARY: One essential element of precision medicine will be the regular use of pharmacogenomic testing to provide additional guidance to physicians when selecting the most appropriate therapeutics and optimal dose for each individual patient. Despite the reluctance of private payers …
Ob-Gyn Associations Dispute Need For Genetic Test Counseling Requirements
CEO SUMMARY: Obstetricians and gynecologists have told health insurers that requiring genetic counseling before approval of genetic testing has a negative effect on patient care and is unnecessary. Recently, two ob-gyn associations went on record opposing such requirements. Ob-gyns say th…
Cigna Expands Program For Genetic Counseling When Genetic Tests Are Needed
CEO SUMMARY: For three years, Cigna has required genetic counseling for members seeking genetic testing for hereditary breast, ovarian, and colorectal cancer, and for a particular heart condition. Such counseling increased member satisfaction, causing Cigna to expand the program. It now r…
How to Cover Genetic Tests Confounds Health Insurers
CEO SUMMARY: Managed care experts say health insurers are being overwhelmed by the number of new genetic tests and that many labs find it tough to get paid for these tests. UnitedHealthcare just announced it will require pre-authorization of molecular and genetic tests during 2016. Me…
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