Who should consider taking this test?
Hereditary Cancer Test
Anyone who is interested in learning about their inherited risks for cancer can take the test. The likelihood of testing positive is higher for those with a personal and/or family history of cancer, as well as those with Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry.
The panel offered through jscreen is designed for individuals of all ancestries and includes hereditary cancer risks found in people of all different backgrounds.
The Reproductive Carrier Screen
Test is intended for people who are planning to start or expand their family and wish to know if they are at an increased risk of having a child with a genetic condition.
How long will it take to get results?
Test results are provided in an easy to understand report available within 3 weeks of the sample arriving at the lab. You will have an opportunity to discuss your results with a genetic counselor. If an individual or couple learns that they or their future children are at risk for a genetic disease, a genetic counselor will provide options for family planning or medical care.
Will genetic testing be covered by my insurance?
95% of private insurance companies have coverage for hereditary cancer testing based on data from our Myriad Genetics.
Through insurance coverage and financial assistance, for those who meet criteria for testing, 90% of tested customers pay $0 out-of-pocket based on data from Myriad Genetics
If your insurance does not pay for testing, you do not meet your policy’s guidelines for testing, you are uninsured, or you have a high unmet deductible, you can forego insurance and directly pay a self-pay price of $249 for your test. If you cannot afford testing, there are financial assistance programs available for those who qualify.
Clear cost estimates from Myriad Genetics
1. Self-pay: $49 due now. (and $249 will be billed to you from Myriad Genetics). Nothing is billed to insurance. A customer service representative from Myriad Genetics will call you to collect credit card payment after you ship your kit back with the prepaid shipping label.
2. Insurance: $49 due now, the rest is billed to your insurance. If you select to pay for your test through insurance, a few days after Myriad Genetics receives your saliva sample, they will contact you via email and/or text to let you know your cost estimate.
Your estimate will consider:
- Your insurance plan
- How much of your deductible has been paid so far this year
- Any copays or coinsurance per your plan
- Eligibility for financial assistance
You will receive an email/text from Myriad Genetics notifying you that your estimate is ready to view. Most people will pay $0, but if your estimate shows you’ll have an out-of-pocket cost that creates a hardship, you have options which will be provided to you.
After you complete your registration and your kit is ordered, Myriad Genetics will send you the kit to collect your saliva sample.
And receive your kit by mail.
Collect your saliva sample from the comfort of your home.
Receive your results within 3 weeks after mailing the kit with the prepaid shipping label.
Schedule your virtual genetic counseling session.
Actionable
Hereditary cancer risk test
Test includes an easy to understand report with actionable results that will inform a personalized care plan. The test evaluates 48 genes to help identify the risk of 11 different types of hereditary cancer, including breast, colon, and pancreatic cancer.
Reproductive carrier screen
Test results are provided in an easy to understand report available within 3 weeks of the sample arriving at the lab. If an individual or couple learns that they or their future children are at risk for a genetic disease, a genetic counselor will provide options for family planning or medical care.
Affordable
We are committed to providing you with access to reliable and affordable genetic testing. Cancer genetic testing is covered by most insurance plans, for those who meet certain criteria, and Myriad Genetics offers the option of affordable cash pay prices and financial assistance programs for those who qualify.
Peace of mind
The hereditary cancer risk test
In addition to providing results for the 48 genes tested, a genetic counseling session, a personalized care plan, and a breast cancer risk score for eligible individuals is provided. After your genetic counseling appointment, you will have a clear understanding of your results, an assessment of your risks, and a well-defined plan for your next step.
Reproductive carrier screen
If an action plan is needed, a care navigator will work with you on a plan that fits your needs. You can feel confident knowing that the carrier screen offered through the jscreen program, is the only validated carrier screening panel in the US backed by 20+ peer-reviewed publications and >1.6M patients screened.
Find answers to commonly asked questions about our genetic testing and services.
Should I consider testing if I'm younger than 25 years old?
You can, but there are a few considerations prior to registering.
While genetic testing can help clarify a person’s risk to develop certain cancers, it can also have potential emotional, social, and financial implications. For many cancer types (although not all), changes in medical care due to a positive result may not begin until age 25 or older; knowing one is positive before then may induce stress and anxiety and could be an emotional burden. In addition, there may be additional considerations for future life and disability insurance eligibility.
Some people who test positive at a younger age might still find this information to be helpful (for family planning, to screen for cancers that might affect them at a younger age, to inform family members, etc.) It's important to consider testing based on your specific family history, including the ages at which cancer has occurred and/or if there is a known genetic mutation.
To learn more, please click HERE to watch our educational video or HERE to contact our genetic counselors.
Could my genetic results impact my health insurance or employment?
In most cases, no. The Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) is a federal law that protects individuals from genetic discrimination in health insurance and in most places of employment.
Under this law, it is illegal for health insurance companies to increase premiums, alter coverage, or deny coverage based on genetic testing results. Some members of the military and federal government are not covered under GINA but have similar protections.
GINA also makes it illegal for employers with 15 or more employees to consider your genetic testing results when making decisions about hiring, firing, or promoting. GINA does not apply to life insurance, long-term care insurance, and other types of insurance.
Please visit www.ginahelp.org and the National Human Genome Research Institute website for more information on the laws in your state.
Why is genetic counseling an important component of my testing experience?
Genetic counselors are board-certified clinical professionals trained to break down complex genetic information and provide emotional support, guidance, and resources to patients and families as they navigate genetic testing and decision making.
We recommend a genetic counseling appointment for all participants coming through JScreen to provide personalized, expert guidance on your genetic testing results and next steps. This session will help you understand your risks and offer valuable support in making informed decisions about your health and family planning. A genetic counselor will address any questions or concerns you may have, ensuring you fully understand the significance of the results for you and your family.
Do Sephardi Jews need to get tested too?
Yes. Preconception carrier screening is recommended for Jewish individuals of all backgrounds. This includes individuals of Sephardic and Mizrahi Jewish descents, whose ancestors populated many diverse countries in Europe, Northern Africa, and the Middle East following dispersion from Israel in ancient times.
The carrier screening panel includes testing for more than 260 genetic diseases that are commonly found in people with many different backgrounds. Therefore, it is valuable for anyone planning a pregnancy.
Can't my doctor just give me a genetic test?
Your doctor may be able to order testing, but here are some things to consider:
All jscreen participants are offered and encouraged to speak with a genetic counselor to review their results and and receive a personalized care plan