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More than one million patients and their providers have trusted GeneDx to provide health insights through genetic testing. With over 20 years of expertise in providing diagnostic testing for rare disorders and diseases, we deliver clear, accurate, and meaningful genetic information to healthcare providers, to help you fully understand your genetic health, and to guide your healthcare decisions.
Genes are instructions that tell our bodies how to grow and develop. Sometimes, genetic changes (called variants) in our DNA might cause a health problem or affect development.
Sometimes, a healthcare provider may be able to diagnose a specific condition or disorder based on a patient’s physical symptoms. Other times, more information is needed in addition to clinical features to find a diagnosis. Many health problems have a genetic cause. Finding a diagnosis can help your healthcare provider more fully understand:
Genetic testing options like genome and exome sequencing provide very comprehensive searches for genetic changes across a person’s genetic information all at once, potentially enabling your healthcare provider to reach a diagnosis faster without multiple testing steps.
Genetic testing can deliver several types of results:
Positive (or diagnostic)
This means we found a genetic change known to cause symptoms or a specific genetic disorder.
Negative (or non-diagnostic)
This means there were no genetic changes that explain your health condition. In this case, depending on the test ordered, your provider may order follow-up testing.
Variant of uncertain significance (VUS)
This means we found a genetic change, but based on the currently available scientific evidence, we cannot clearly say whether this is related to your health condition. In this case, depending on the test ordered, your provider might suggest additional follow-up.
Secondary Finding
This means that we identified a genetic change that is unrelated to the reason your provider ordered testing. This type of information, specific to exome and genome tests, is optional to receive, and occurs in about 3% of people. Depending on your results, a secondary finding may help you know if you’re at a higher risk for medical conditions such as cancer or heart disease. Before your provider places a test order, we encourage you to discuss secondary findings with them and determine if you’d like to receive these types of test results. Your healthcare provider can also help you understand the next steps, suggest treatment plan recommendations, or connect you with additional resources.
Here’s a quick overview of how the genetic testing process works:
Your provider may offer genetic counseling as part of their testing support before and/or after genetic testing is ordered. GeneDx offers comprehensive genetic counseling services with a referral from your healthcare provider.
A genetic counselor is a healthcare professional trained in medical genetics and counseling, and skilled at communicating the complexities of genetic testing. During a genetic counseling session, a genetic counselor may review your family history, explain the benefits and limitations of genetic testing, discuss your test results, offer resources and support, and help you understand whether additional family members should be tested.
GeneDx’s patient counseling team and our independent partners offer:
Talk with your healthcare provider to request a referral. Once received, we will contact you to schedule an appointment.
If you have additional questions after speaking with your provider, contact our patient counseling team at (888) 729-1206, option 7 or email patientcounseling@genedx.com
GeneDx accepts most commercial insurance, Medicaid, and Medicare
We offer competitive self-pay pricing, no-interest, no-fee payment plans when needed
Our robust Financial Assistance Program is designed to help reduce potential out-of-pocket costs associated with testing
Learn how GeneDx supports education, promotes community outreach, and fosters connections by contacting us about patient advocacy at support@genedx.com.
Would you like more information about the genetic testing process? The materials below offer quick details that can help:
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