How Much Does Genetic Testing Cost

Associated Costs

If you are considering genetic testing, you may wonder how much you will have to pay for it. It’s important to know that there are many things involved in genetic testing other than just drawing your blood or swabbing the inside of your cheek. The expenses you will have to pay for have much to do with the process of testing your sample and interpreting the results.

Cost #1: Pay for the sample

The first thing that you will have to pay for is how the procedure is done to get a sample from you. You will have to pay a different amount if you do a blood test or a swab. Whether they do one or the other depends on what type of genetic testing you want done.

Cost #2: Pay for the size of the sample

Another factor in the genetic testing price is the size of the gene sample being tested. If you are wondering if you have breast cancer, only specific genes will be tested. Locating and analyzing the genes specific to this disease is what your money goes to.

Cost #3: Pay for labor

You will also have to pay for the time it takes to do the test and analyzing as well as for the salary of the researchers doing it. It also depends on if the test goes to a research or commercial lab and many times, you don’t have a choice on which one.

Billing Insurance for Genetic Testing

You may be thinking that you could just bill your insurance. Keep in mind that many insurance won’t pay for genetic testing. It’s much too new and insurance companies know that it can get expensive. While some will pay for it, you may still have to pay hefty co pays.

Is it worth it?

If you know a life threatening disease runs in your family and you’re worried about suffering from it, the price you pay for genetic testing may be worth it. You will be able to know if there is a chance you will suffer from it and take precautions to either delay or stop the onset of it.

For more information on the cost of genetic testing, check out Genetic Health.

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June 8th, 2009 by Marcelina Hardy | Posted in Genetic Testing | (0)