What is a genetic counselor?
A genetic counselor is a healthcare provider with advanced training in medical genetics and counseling. Genetic counselors work as part of a healthcare team to guide and support individuals seeking information about how inherited conditions might affect them or their families. Genetic counselors also work with individuals to discuss genetic testing options, coordinate genetic testing, and interpret the results of genetic testing based on personal, pregnancy, and family history information. Genetic counselors that work with patients often have an area of specialty, such as prenatal/pregnancy, pediatric, oncology (cancer), neurology, ophthalmology, cardiology, and many other areas. Some genetic counselors work in research, education, industry, marketing, and many other roles across the healthcare and genetics fields. More information about genetic counselors can be found through the National Society of Genetic Counselors website – https://www.aboutgeneticcounselors.com.
When should I meet with a genetic counselor?
You may be referred to meet with a genetic counselor by a doctor (such as a maternal fetal medicine doctor, an obstetrician, oncologist, or medical geneticist) to discuss your family history and genetic risks, or before or after having genetic testing. If you are planning a pregnancy, currently pregnant, or if you have experienced miscarriages, a reproductive genetic counselor can work with you and your doctor to help you understand:
- The chance for chromosome conditions, birth defects, or other early onset conditions related to your age, personal, pregnancy, or family history (including the personal and family history of your reproductive partner)
- Whether genetic testing before, during, or after pregnancy might be right for you
- What the results of genetic tests may mean for you and your family
- The possible implications of taking prescribed medications in pregnancy
- If there could be factors contributing to a history of miscarriages
Genetic consultation: What to Expect
Your first meeting with a genetic counselor will likely be a discussion of around an hour, to review the reason why you were referred by a doctor, or the reason you wanted to speak with a genetic counselor, a detailed review of your personal, pregnancy, and family history, genetic testing options related to your pregnancy, personal, or family history, and the results of any genetic testing. After a genetic consult, you may have follow-up discussions in person, via telemedicine, or by phone, to review test results. The results of any testing will be shared with you and your referring provider.
You may meet with a genetic counselor in person or via telemedicine. At MFM & Genetics of Advantia, you will meet with a genetic counselor via telemedicine, either while you are at an MFM & Genetics of Advantia office or from your home or office, or another private location. For telemedicine appointments, you must be physically located in Washington DC, Virginia, or Maryland at the time of your appointment, or you will be asked to reschedule.
What are the benefits and risks of genetic consultation?
Because many things about us are partly or entirely determined by tiny variations in sections of our DNA called genes, everyone can benefit from meeting with a genetic counselor, to better understand risks, testing options, and how genetic information can impact health and medical care. The benefits of meeting with a genetic counselor while planning for a pregnancy, or while currently pregnant may include: a better understanding of genetic testing options or test results, exploration of how information from genetic testing could aid in decision making or medical care during pregnancy, a better understanding of ultrasound findings or risk factors identified by genetic testing or related to personal or family history, and referral to other specialists, if needed. Because a genetic counselor may be discussing risks or conditions of concern for you and/or a pregnancy, and asking questions about pregnancy and family history, you may experience a range of emotions while meeting with a genetic counselor. Please keep in mind that genetic counselors have expertise in counseling and can provide emotional support. Although genetic counselors may discuss a range of testing options, there is no obligation to pursue genetic testing, and the genetic counseling process is about supporting what is best for you.
Is there anything I should do to prepare?
If you have been referred to a genetic counselor to discuss a specific genetic condition in you or a family member, you should provide medical records and any genetic testing reports prior to the consultation. If another healthcare provider has referred you to discuss genetic testing results, your referring provider will have provided the appropriate medical records, but at times a member of the healthcare team may reach out to you for additional information prior to your appointment. It can be helpful to review with your family members if there are any early onset conditions, for example: birth defects requiring surgery, chromosome abnormalities (like Down syndrome), conditions affecting learning or development, or conditions that are getting worse over time, known genetic conditions or genetic testing results, complications in pregnancy (such as multiple miscarriages, stillbirth, or difficulty becoming pregnant), cancer diagnosed before age 50, or other conditions that impact multiple family members. If you have no or limited information about the health history of family members, you are not alone, and a genetic counselor can still discuss available genetic testing that could be helpful.
About billing for genetic counseling:
The cost of a genetic consultation will be billed to your insurance based on the amount of time you spend talking with the genetic counselor and the amount of time that the genetic counselor spends preparing to see you, ordering genetic testing, and sending documentation to you and your referring physician. If you contact your insurance carrier prior to your appointment to determine coverage, please use the CPT (procedural) code 96041 for genetic consultation. This is the only CPT code that can be used for genetic consultation and therefore, if your insurance carrier does not cover this CPT code, a different code cannot be used, and genetic consultation will not be covered. There are some insurance companies that do not routinely cover genetic counseling, in which case self-pay options will be available. Please understand that pre-authorization or approval for genetic counseling is NOT a guarantee that the cost of the consultation will be covered by insurance.
Finding a genetic counselor for genetic consultation:
Your OBGYN or midwife can provide a referral to one or more reproductive genetic counselors in your area. You can also find a local genetic counselor by using the Find A Genetic Counselor tool with the National Society of Genetic Counselors – https://findageeticcouunselor.nsgc.org
Book An Appointment!
If you have been referred by your primary care provider, OBGYN or other healthcare provider, please call our office to schedule an appointment. Our dedicated team will help you understand what information to provide in advance to ensure you see the care best suited to your condition.
Please consider completing this survey to explore your personal risk factors for genetic counseling to share with your healthcare provider
