Abstract
Genetic counselors represent an indispensable, well-established, and well-integrated group of healthcare providers in the field of genetic and genomic medicine in the United States. They work with other members of the healthcare team to provide information and support to individuals and families concerned with genetic disorders. With more than 5,000 certified genetic counselors in the U.S. and an expected growth of 100 % over the next decade, genetic counseling represents one of the fastest-growing professions in the U.S. Genetic counselors work in clinical environments (e. g., hospitals), in companies (e. g., genetic testing firms), and as consultants to medical practices and others. Twenty-six states license genetic counselors as practitioners who can bill independently, with licensure applications underway in the remaining 24 states. Physicians, genetic counselors, and diagnosticians represent the three pillars of comprehensive, integrated genomic medical care. Within this triad, genetic counselors see their primary role in procuring and interpreting family and medical histories, assessing inheritance, quantifying chances of recurrence, facilitating decision-making regarding genetic testing options, and explaining the results of such testing to the respective individuals within the greater context of their families.
Highlights
The field of medical genetics has grown tremendously over the past decades, to the point that it affects all medical specialties
Genetic counselors work in clinical environments (e. g., hospitals), in companies (e. g., genetic testing firms), and as consultants to medical practices and others
While diagnostic testing may be conducted by any physician, predictive genetic testing may only be initiated by board-certified medical geneticists or physicians from other subspecialties, who have completed a certificate program for genetic counseling
Summary
The field of medical genetics has grown tremendously over the past decades, to the point that it affects all medical specialties. The ACMG thereby supported the reimbursement of genetic counselors for genetic counseling services, but not for independent practice of medicine, highlighting the differences in medical training and expertise in comparison to genetic counseling They emphasized that genetic tests that confer a diagnosis or guide treatment decisions require physician involvement. Some genetic tests may require a medical evaluation, including physical examination and other types of laboratory testing to identify genetic testing needs For these reasons, ACMG proposed minor amendments to H.R. 3235 to encourage the continuation of team-based models for patient care. The ability of genetic counselors in the U.S to bill for services independently still varies from state to state and is dependent on the insurance status of the patient(s) seeking genetic counseling services
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