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Genetic Counseling: Making Sense of Your Genes

Genetic Counseling: Making Sense of Your Genes. Justine M. Cooper, MS, CGC Certified Genetic Counselor. What is a genetic counselor?. Specialized graduate degree Experience in both medical genetics and counseling

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Genetic Counseling: Making Sense of Your Genes

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  1. Genetic Counseling: Making Sense of Your Genes Justine M. Cooper, MS, CGC Certified Genetic Counselor

  2. What is a genetic counselor? • Specialized graduate degree • Experience in both medical genetics and counseling • Work as member of a healthcare team to provide risk-assessment, education, and support to individuals and family members • Interpret genetic testing results, provide supportive counseling, serve as advocate for patient

  3. What happens in a genetic counseling visit? • Review personal medical history • Review family history • Discuss likelihood of hereditary cancer syndrome • Discuss genetic testing options • Discuss pros/cons of tests • Order genetic testing

  4. Pre- and Post-Test Counseling Pre-Test Counseling Post-Test Counseling Review and discuss test results Determine appropriate management for individual and family members Determine whether testing is appropriate for other family members Provide supportive counseling • Discuss benefits and limitations of genetic testing • Explanation of possible results • How would these impact management? • Discuss importance of testing affected individual • Review cost, insurance preauthorization, turnaround time, etc. • Discuss legal and social implications

  5. Benefits of utilizing a genetic counselor • Provide comprehensive education regarding genetics • Increase patient satisfaction and understanding • More time to spend with patients • Coordinate testing • Interpret results • Up-to-date on current management guidelines

  6. Is genetic counseling covered by insurance? • In most cases, YES! • Certain insurance companies require pre-test counseling by an independent genetic counselor prior to covering testing • Currently not covered by Medicare • Some Medicaid providers do not cover counseling, others require it prior to testing

  7. How do I find a genetic counselor? • NSGC.org

  8. Questions? Justine M. Cooper, MS, CGC Justine.Cooper@bhsi.com 859-260-4549

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