Epilepsy Answers Partnership Program
Improving access to exome testing in pediatric epilepsy
The Epilepsy Answers Partnership Program helps clinicians move forward with recommended exome testing for pediatric epilepsy patients when coverage is denied or unavailable.
When exome testing is clinically appropriate, the Epilepsy Answers Partnership Program helps you move forward, so your patients don’t remain in diagnostic limbo or settle for less comprehensive testing.
How panel-first epilepsy testing pathways delay answers
For patients with unexplained epilepsy, traditional care pathways often hold up diagnosis, prolong uncertainty, and allow disease burden to take a further toll.
Panel-first strategies may leave patients without answers.
57% of seizure causing genes aren't available on many commonly commercially available panels.1
Sequential testing prolongs the diagnostic journey.
82% of patients who received an exome test had genetic testing before, indicating prior testing (CMA or panel) did not resolve all clinical questions.1
Insurance denials can dictate testing strategy
Uninsured patients may have no access at all
Exome-first testing is recommended for unexplained epilepsy,2 but access isn’t always guaranteed, creating gaps between clinical guidelines and real-world care.
An access program designed for exome testing in epilepsy
Enables more seamless care pathways
- Proceed directly to exome when clinically appropriate
- Reduce unnecessary or fruitless sequential testing
- Avoid prolonged diagnostic limbo
Aligned with clinical guidelines
- NSGC, with endorsement from AES, supports an exome-first approach for patients with unexplained epilepsy2
- Helps you practice guideline-backed care, despite coverage barriers
Unblocks access when coverage fails
- Designed for uninsured patients or when insurance denies exome coverage
- Prevents settling for narrow panels due to reimbursement limitations
- Complements standard reimbursement without replacing it, supporting access without disrupting existing coverage
How the Epilepsy Answers Program works
Identify eligible patients
Eligible patients meet all six criteria:
- Residence in the United States.
- Less than 18 years of age.
- Experienced their first unprovoked seizure before 8 years of age.
- Have not had prior genetic testing performed by a clinical laboratory which confirmed a diagnosis of a neurodevelopmental disorder.
- Ordering provider is authorized under applicable law to order genetic testing in the United States.
- Consented to the mandatory data sharing practices stated in the test requisition form (TRF)/provider attestation on the portal.
Patients must meet all six criteria.
Login or connect with your GeneDx rep
If you’re new to the program, we can walk you through program eligibility, documentation, and ordering.
Add any of our ExomeDxâ„¢ tests to your cart and and use program code: ESEPL [Epilepsy Answers Partnership Program]
For paper TRF orders, the Epilepsy Answers Partnership Program-specific TRF must be used.
You can also order duos and trios seamlessly through the program.
Testing proceeds with support behind the scenes.
Ongoing clinical support
Our team can support your needs before, during, and after testing.
Access for patients. Support for providers and clinical staff.
The Epilepsy Answers Partnership Program is backed by our team, committed to helping you integrate exome into your clinical workflow.
Ordering process guidance and staff training
MSL access for clinical discussions
Educational materials for patients and staff
Genetic counseling support for post-test counseling
Designed to complement reimbursement
The Epilepsy Answers Partnership Program is not a substitute for insurance coverage. It supports patients when coverage pathways fail, helping you deliver guideline-backed care without compromising clinical strategy.
Providers can enroll all patients, including those with coverage, with no impact to existing reimbursement.
Advancing therapeutic innovation in genetic epilepsy
The Epilepsy Answers Partnership Program also contributes to advancing research in genetically driven epilepsy. De-identified genetic and clinical data from testing of consenting patients is shared with biopharmaceutical partners. This supports their research and development efforts focused on therapies targeting the genetic causes of epilepsy.
By expanding access to exome testing, the program helps increase identification of genetic etiologies, enabling insights that may inform the development of future targeted treatments. Expanding access to testing today supports both patient care and continued innovation in precision medicine.
