Can’t my doctor just test me?

Answer:

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Your doctor may be able to order testing, but here are some things to consider:

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• Often, disease panels offered in doctor’s offices are very limited and only include a handful of diseases. Make sure you are getting a comprehensive and current panel.
• Unless they specialize in genetics, most physicians aren’t experts in the area and will likely refer you to a genetic counselor to provide results of the test. That visit to a genetic counselor can cost hundreds of dollars, in addition to extra travel time.
• Genetic testing is not routinely done during an annual physical or wellness visit, but usually done during a visit to the OB/GYN’s office. In many cases the woman is already pregnant, and there are fewer options to have a healthy baby if she is found to be part of a carrier couple.
• If insurance doesn’t cover the cost of testing, the out-of-pocket fees can be very high.
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JScreen, a national nonprofit, offers a testing panel of over 200 diseases, provides free post-test genetic counseling, and keeps the cost of testing low for participants - regardless of insurance coverage.

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