How Much Does GeneSight® Testing Cost?
The GeneSight® test will analyze your DNA, helping your doctor better understand which medication may work based on your genetic makeup.
Using a detailed test report, your doctor will be able to personalize your treatment plan, find the right medication and help avoid any medication which may cause unwanted side effects.
If you’re suffering from a condition such as depression, bipolar disorder, ADHD or chronic pain, then this test, analyzing your unique set of genes will ultimately determine how your body responds to medications.
The reported GeneSight® testing costs
As per the official website, they claim 95% of their patients will pay less than $330 per GeneSight® test. If you have traditional Medicare or Medicaid, the cost is $0, but if you have Medicare Advantage, employer or any other insurance, then you may need to be prepared to cover a portion of the cost, often being $330 or less. As for those who are uninsured, the company recommends you contact them directly for more help.
Even if you’re not able to afford the costs up front, the company did create a Financial Assistance Program — a program designed to reduce the costs even further based on your household income and number of people living with you. According to this PDF, if you make less than $50,000, the patient’s responsibility is $20, while those making $50,001 to $75,000 will be responsible for $150 or $12.50 per month. Households making more than $75,001 or more will not be eligible for this program.
On PsychCentral.com, members talked about the costs of this test, and while some said their insurance covered the entire test, a representative from Assurex Health, the company which markets GeneSight, confirmed the costs mentioned above, stating the maximum out of pocket costs are typically less than $330. She also noted they did offer a 12 month, interest-free payment plan as well.
The type of GeneSight® tests
GeneSight® ADHD – The GeneSight® ADHD test is able to help doctors identify and void certain ADHD medications which are likely to cause side effects based on your genetic makeup. You can see a sample report via the official website here.
GeneSight® Analgesic – The GeneSight® Analgesic test analyzes how your body reacts to the FDA-approved opioids and muscle relaxants on the market, allowing your doctor to determine which medications you should use based on the results.
GeneSight® MTHFR – This genetic test analyzes an important gene within your system that is able to predict your body’s ability to convert folic acid into its active form of L-methylfolate. Folic acid must be in its active form in order for your body to use it as it helps produce neurotransmitters such as dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine. With this test results, your doctor may be able to determine if you could benefit from folic acid or L-methylfolate supplements.
GeneSight® Psychotropic – This test will analyze how your genes affect your response to psychotropic medications which are commonly prescribed to treat PTSD, anxiety, OCD, schizophrenia or other related behavioral health conditions. As there are a variety of medications available on the market that is able to treat these conditions, the GeneSight® Psychotropic testing is able to allow your doctor to identify and avoid any anxiety, depression and/or medication which may cause side effects and/or will be considered unlikely to work.
The process – how does it work?
As per RauhPsychiatry.com, the process is relatively simple. A cheek swab is used to collect the DNA, and the samples are then overnighted to the Assurex labs. Typically, the results are available within 36 hours, and once received by your doctor, he or she will have access to report classifying a list of 38 psychiatric drugs into three possible categories: green bin (“use as directed”), yellow bin (“use with caution”) and red bin (“use with caution and with more frequent monitoring”).
Clinical studies
As per the official website, the test is supported by multiple peer-reviewed clinic studies, and according to the company, it’s the leading neuropsychiatric pharmacogenomic technology backed by research. You can view the five clinical studies here, here, here, here and here.
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Average Reported Cost: $0
