I already know I have a family history of cancer. Why should I get tested?
Testing for inherited risk of cancer helps you and your doctor understand your risk so you can make the best choices for preventive medical care. Knowing your family history is an important first step, but testing can give you a more accurate picture of your inherited risk.
Do doctors recommend testing for everyone?
While testing is the most accurate way to determine your inherited risk of cancer, only people who have cancer in their family or personal history need to be tested. If cancer runs in your family, let your doctor know.
How do I get tested?
Ask your doctor if testing is right for you. If so, your doctor will draw a small amount of your blood or take a mouth swab sample and send it to Myriad Genetic Laboratories, Inc. for analysis.
How long does it take to get the test results?
Your doctor will let you know your test results as soon as they are available as early as two weeks from the date your test is started.
Does a positive test result mean that I have cancer?
No. Genetic testing does not tell you if you currently have cancer. Your test results tell you about your inherited risk of developing cancer.
Does a positive test result mean that I will develop cancer?
No. Genetic testing does not tell you whether you will develop cancer. A positive test result tells you that you have an increased risk of cancer.
How do I know if my health insurance will cover hereditary cancer testing?
I don’t even know where to start.
Most insurance carriers cover genetic testing services for hereditary cancer. In fact, although each situation is unique, the average patient pays coinsurance of less than 10% of the test price. We work directly with your insurance provider to get reimbursement for the genetic tests we offer. We have significant experience navigating the reimbursement issues that may be important to you.
What kinds of payment plans do you offer?
If you happen to receive a bill from Myriad, we are extremely flexible. We routinely offer an interest-free 25 month payment plan when your co-insurance, deductible or non-covered services will cost $375 or more. (That’s roughly $15 per month, with zero interest.) Our friendly staff will happily find a way to make the payments work for you.
What if I don’t have any health insurance at all?
You can pay for the testing service yourself. If needed, we can set you up on an installment payment plan that is practical for you.
We can even offer testing at no charge to uninsured patients who meet specific financial and medical criteria. (Due to regulatory limitations, patients who are recipients of government-funded programs like Medicaid and Medicare or those that have any third party insurance are not eligible to apply.)