Genetic Counseling
406-731-8200
Genetic counseling can help you identify and understand genetic contributions to disease, whether you have a family history of disease or your own diagnosis. Understanding genetic contributions can help identify targeted treatments or provide options for screening and early detection to reduce your risks. Genetic counseling can also help identify the chance of passing on hereditary conditions to future generations.
Genetic information can be complex, and genetic counseling can help individuals understand their genetic conditions, adapt to new information, and make empowered healthcare decisions.
Who needs genetic counseling?
Genetic counseling may be of benefit to many individuals depending on their medical and family history. Common testing reasons include:
Family variant testing
If a relative has undergone genetic testing that found a hereditary condition in the family, genetic counseling is recommended to discuss the implications of that testing for your own disease risks and to discuss your options for testing and potential results.
Family planning
For individuals who are planning to become pregnant, genetic counseling and testing may be available to screen for conditions that could be passed on to children, whether there is a known family history of disease or not. This includes conditions such as cystic fibrosis and spinal muscular atrophy.
Prenatal or pregnant
Genetic testing can be performed during pregnancy to screen for genetic conditions that may occur randomly, such as Down syndrome. Getting a diagnosis early in pregnancy can help families learn about the condition and prepare both emotionally and medically before the child is born.
Cardiology
Many cardiac conditions have genetic influences. It is currently recommended that all individuals with cardiomyopathy be evaluated for genetic risks. Depending on medical and family history, other cardiac conditions may also warrant evaluation, including arrhythmia, aortic aneurysm and dissection, and high cholesterol/early coronary artery disease. This is especially true if there are multiple family members affected or an early age of onset for the condition in a family.
Oncology/Cancer
Oncology/cancer: It is estimated that approximately 10% of cancers occur in individuals with hereditary cancer syndromes. Genetic counseling and testing are available for a broad range of hereditary conditions linked to many different types of cancer. In general, when there are multiple relatives with the same or similar types of cancer, individuals with more than one type of cancer during their lifetime, or individuals diagnosed younger than normal with cancer, genetic counseling may be of benefit. National guidelines have recommended genetic testing in all individuals with the following types of cancer:
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Male breast cancer
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Ovarian cancer
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Triple negative breast cancer
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Pancreatic cancer
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Colon cancer
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Medullary thyroid cancer
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Paragangliomas/pheochromocytomas
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Metastatic, locally advanced, and/or high-grade prostate cancer
Direct to consumer genetic test results
If you had genetic testing through a direct-to-consumer test that reported a genetic susceptibility to disease, we encourage genetic counseling to ensure that the testing is accurate and complete and interpreted correctly.
Neurology
Genetic testing is available for many neuromuscular and neurologic conditions. This includes various forms of muscular dystrophy as well as conditions such as Huntington’s disease. Genetic testing is currently recommended for all individuals with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
What should you expect during a genetic counseling visit?
When you meet with a genetic counselor, they will review your medical history and family medical history and discuss your risk for having certain genetic changes or conditions. They will help decide whether genetic testing may be useful, and if so, what options are available, insurance coverage, and estimated costs. They will also review what genetic testing may or may not be able to tell you and whether you may be at risk for passing on a hereditary condition to children. The genetic counselor will help you make informed decisions about your healthcare and will provide information and support related to the conditions that concern you.
Does insurance cover genetic counseling and testing?
No prior authorization is necessary for your genetic counseling consult (though a referral from a healthcare provider may be required by your health insurance plan). Genetic testing, if performed, is billed separately from your consult. The genetic counselor will work with you during and/or after your visit to determine estimated costs, options, insurance coverage, and needs for prior authorization for genetic testing.
