Personalizing Your Healthcare Journey

HGA is a comprehensive genetic testing benefit that provides eligible plan members access to a wide range of clinical genetic tests genetic tests at no out-of-pocket cost.

For eligible members, there is no out-of-pocket cost. The testing is covered 100% by your HGA-partnered health plan with no deductible, copay, or coinsurance required.

HGA offers a variety of tests, including hereditary cancer risk assessments, cardiovascular disease risk screenings, pharmacogenomics (medication response) testing, carrier screening, and rare disease testing.

Genetic testing can be beneficial for many people, especially those with:

• Personal or family history of certain health conditions
• Concerns about medication effectiveness
• Interest in proactive health management

Talk to your primary care provider about whether genetic testing is right for you. If appropriate, your provider can order the test directly through the HGA program.

No, your primary care provider can order genetic tests through HGA without a specialist referral.

Most tests use a simple saliva or blood sample, which can be collected either at your doctor's office or at home with a provided kit.

Initial test results are typically available within 2-3 weeks. Subsequent tests using the Sequence Once, Query Often® technology can provide results in just days.

This innovative approach allows your DNA to be sequenced just once, creating a secure digital resource. This means you only need to provide a sample once, and future tests can be performed on this existing data without additional sample collection.

Yes, Helix maintains strict privacy and security measures that comply with all healthcare laws and regulations. Your information is protected and will not be shared without your explicit consent.

Genetic testing can help identify potential health risks before symptoms appear, guide your doctor in personalizing your care, inform medication choices, and empower you to take proactive steps for a healthier future.

Genetic testing involves the analysis of your genes, which carry the instructions embedded in your DNA. These genetic instructions influence traits such as hair and eye color, as well as your height and other distinctive features. Scientists analyze your genes during genetic testing to find small variations that could be connected to health conditions. Genetic testing is often performed to confirm suspected disease or to understand why certain health conditions are present in a family.

All of Helix's tests must be ordered by a provider. If you would like your health care provider to order diagnostic testing for you, please direct them to our Customer Support staff at 844-211-2070 to get the process started.

Once your test has been ordered, you will need to provide a blood or a saliva sample. Your health care provider can help arrange this at their office.

After Helix receives your sample and your doctor's test order, Helix uses specialized lab equipment to isolate the DNA, which holds your genetic information. Your DNA undergoes a detailed preparation process and is analyzed using advanced technology called exome sequencing. Helix reads each gene multiple times to gather accurate data about possible genetic changes related to known diseases. Scientists review the data and create a report with the results. Helix then sends the report to your health care provider, who will share it with you.

Yes, all of Helix’s tests have New York State approval.

A genetic counselor is a healthcare provider with specialized training in medical genetics and counseling. Genetic counselors can help translate test results, help participants understand how their personal and family medical history impacts their health, and guide next steps in medical management. They can also help navigate how to speak with relatives about health risks that may run in the family. Genetic counseling visits are typically scheduled for one hour, but may take more or less time depending upon the specifics of an individual's results and the questions that they have.

Choosing the best genetic test for you involves looking at your medical and family histories, your current health situation, and the specific information you and your healthcare provider are looking for. Talk with your health care provider to decide which type of genetic testing might be the most suitable for your needs.

When a sample fails processing, a TNP (test not performed) result is returned to the electronic medical record. A member of your health system staff will reach out to arrange submission of a new specimen.

The time it takes to receive results varies but is typically within 7 to 24 days for diagnostic tests and 7 to 10 days for PGx. If you’ve had a DNA sample already sequenced by Helix, no sample is required and test results will be returned within 1 to 14 days for diagnostic tests and < 5 minutes for PGx. Results are returned directly to your electronic medical record and sent to your provider to review with you.

There are three types of genetic test results.

A positive result means that a disease-causing variant has been found. Lifetime risk of developing disease is higher compared to the general population. Exact risks vary by gene. A positive result may explain why disease occurred and may impact medical management. For those who have not been diagnosed, a positive result can help clarify their future risk of disease and guide next steps in medical care. Sometimes a positive result indicates that someone is a "carrier." Carriers do not have increased personal risk of disease, but this type of result may impact the risk to their children.

A negative result means that no disease-causing variants were found in the genes that were tested. Personal and family medical history should be used to guide next steps. It is important to remember that inherited genetic variants are just one cause of disease. Other causes may include aging, lifestyle factors, exposures and other genetic influences.

An indeterminant result means that a variant of uncertain significance has been found. This type of result is common. It means that we do not have enough information about a specific variant to know whether it causes disease. Such variants should not be used to guide medical decision-making. Personal and family medical history should be used to guide next steps.

An individual's DNA sequence does not change over time. However, with every Helix test performed, genetic variants of uncertain significance (VUS) are identified. A VUS means that a genetic variant was found but its impact on disease is uncertain. Further research and evidence are needed to determine the exact impact of the variant on health. Variant reclassifications occur as a result of ongoing research, improved understanding of genetic data and advances in the field of genetics. When variants are reclassified, Helix will provide detailed information regarding the revised reclassification to the ordering clinician, including specific reasons behind the change and potential medical implications.

Positive genetic test results can have implications for family members. Here are some important points to consider:

• Familial risk assessment: A positive genetic test result indicates the presence of a genetic variant that increases the risk of developing a certain condition. This information is valuable for family members as they may also have an increased risk of carrying the same variant. A genetic counselor can provide guidance on how to share this information with family members and may recommend that they consider genetic testing as well.
• Inheritance pattern: Many genetic variants can be inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern. This means that there is a 50% chance for each biological child, sibling and parent to inherit the variant. A genetic counselor can explain the inheritance pattern in detail and discuss the implications for family members.
• Genetic testing for family members: Family members can undergo targeted genetic testing to determine if they carry the same variant. Genetic counseling can help guide them through the testing process and provide information about the potential risks associated with the variant.
• Screening and management recommendations: A positive genetic test result may lead to screening recommendations for family members who test positive. This may include early or increased surveillance or screening. A genetic counselor can provide specific recommendations based on a specific variant and family history.
• Reproductive decisions: For family members considering starting or expanding their families, a positive genetic test result may influence their reproductive decisions. They may choose to undergo preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) to select embryos without the variant or consider other reproductive options. Genetic counselors can provide information and support to individuals making these decisions.

The decision to pursue genetic testing or any medical management options should be made on an individual basis and with the guidance of healthcare professionals. Genetic counseling plays an important role in educating and supporting both patients and their family members, helping everyone make informed decisions about their healthcare and potential genetic risks. Genetic counselors (in-person or virtual) can be identified at www.findageneticcounselor.org.

When a participant tests positive for a pathogenic (or disease-causing) variant, their close family members (including parents, siblings and children) have a 50% chance of testing positive and having an increased risk of disease. More distant relatives may also be at risk. It is recommended that positive genetic test results be shared with family members who can discuss the option of testing with their healthcare providers or with a genetic counselor.

Family variant testing (FVT) is a type of genetic testing that can determine whether family members have inherited a known genetic variant. It is commonly used when a family member has tested positive for a genetic variant, and other relatives want to assess their risk of having the same variant. FVT is available to any individual who has a blood relative with a Pathogenic or Likely Pathogenic result, and can be added to any Helix diagnostic or screening test at no additional cost.

FVT is also available at no additional cost when it is ordered as a standalone test, if: 1) the original patient was a blood relative that was tested by us, and 2) the FVT is ordered within 90 days of issuance of the original patient’s test report.

Keeping your information private and secure is important to us. We comply with all applicable federal and state privacy laws and regularly perform third party assessments of our security and privacy programs to ensure they are operating effectively. For details on how we protect your information, please visit our Privacy and Policy Highlights page.