Genetic Testing and Counseling Program Expansion

Cigna is building on the success of their genetic counseling program, and expanding it to include additional genetic tests. They began their genetic counseling program in 2013 as a medically necessary requirement for customers undergoing genetic testing for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (BRCA), colorectal cancer syndromes, and Long QT syndrome, a hereditary heart condition. It requires the counseling to be performed by a participating, independent board-certified genetic counselor or clinical geneticist prior to requesting precertification for the testing. Beginning July 15, 2016, they will expand the program to require genetic counseling for four additional tests: Exome test, Hereditary arrhythmias and cardiomyopathies, Pediatric microarray test (excluding prenatal testing) and Hereditary cancer syndromes. They will also update specific coverage policies to include genetic counseling as a component of medical necessity, effective July 15, 2016.