What to Expect from a Genetic Evaluation

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Patients seeking a genetic evaluation often already have been seen by various doctors of multiple specialties. They frequently have undergone many laboratory and imaging tests without finding an explanation for their health issues.      

A genetic evaluation is very comprehensive and includes obtaining a detailed present and past medical history, extensive family history, and performing a thorough physical examination.     

Genetic evaluations therefore typically take 60 minutes for an initial visit and 30 minutes for a follow up appointment.     

To ensure that the process is as smooth as possible and that you get the most out of your appointment, we have the following recommendations:     

• After making an appointment, you will receive a questionnaire via email. Please complete to the best of your knowledge and send back to our office before the appointment.   
• If you had previous evaluations, please provide pertinent medical records BEFORE the appointment for review by our physician (no need to obtain CDs with Xray/CT scan/MRI studies - the radiology report is sufficient).  
• If your family member had genetic testing in the past, please obtain a copy of the result report and either bring it with you to the appointment or send it to the office ahead of time. This is especially important if you would like to undergo genetic testing for the same disorder. 

Please note that the cost for genetic testing is not included in the consultation fee, even if the genetic evaluation is covered by your insurance. Genetic testing is a separate charge that is typically billed from the genetic testing laboratory directly to your insurance. The out-of-pocket costs for genetic testing vary and largely depend on your insurance plan.  We strive to make genetic testing accessible and affordable by choosing competitive yet high-quality testing laboratories, providing letters of medical necessity, and performing peer-to-peer discussions with insurance companies.