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Genetic Counseling Referrals

Let us help you navigate the evolving nature of genetic testing and gene mutations to ensure your patients can make informed decisions.

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What patients can expect

Our highly-skilled and certified genetic counselors specialize in cancer, prenatal, and cardiology genetic counseling services. Here's what your patients can expect as a patient of Intermountain Health's genetic counseling services.

Our Process

Initial genetic counseling visit:

  • Pedigree chart and personal history
  • Risk assessment and explanation of risk
  • Discussion of testing and management options, if appropriate

If the patient decides to pursue testing, the genetic counselor will:

  • Coordinate insurance preauthorization if necessary
  • Coordinate test ordering and specimen collection to be sent to testing lab

At the follow-up visit:

  • Follow up regarding test results, informing both the patient and referring provider of the results
  • Meet with the patient to discuss results, management, and facilitation of family member testing
  • Assist patients in reaching out to at-risk family members who may benefit from genetic testing

Billing and insurance information

Genetic counseling is a billable service covered by most major insurance plans. However, we encourage patients and providers to contact their insurance company before an appointment to ask if the genetic counseling visit is covered and that the facility is in-network with their plan. If you have any questions, or would like assistance, please call our offices.

If the patient decides to pursue a genetic test, the genetic counselor can provide an estimated out-of-pocket cost to the patient prior to testing.

Genetic information nondiscrimination

The discovery of genetic disease risk can affect insurance coverage. Patients are protected from genetic discrimination in health insurance and employment, but not all types of insurance are protected.

For more information on how the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA), protects patients from genetic discrimination in health insurance and employment, visit ginahelp.org.

How to refer patients

We welcome referrals to our genetic counselors. Feel free to contact us for more information or to discuss specific referrals.

Cancer genetic counseling appointments are available in-person as well as via telehealth visits to oncology patients throughout Intermountain's service area.

Fax a referral to the fax number or email address below. Please provide as much information on the patient and/or family history of cancer as possible. Feel free to call with any questions on the referral process.

(801) 507-3950CancerGenetics@imail.org

Referrals may be faxed to the genetic counseling teams at the following locations. For questions regarding a referral, call the numbers below.

  • Intermountain Medical Center: Phone 801-507-7400 Fax: 801-507-7493
  • St. George Regional Hospital: Phone: 435-251-4150 Fax: 435-688-4835
  • Utah Valley Hospital and American Fork Hospital: Phone: 801-357-7706 Fax: 801-442-0745
  • LDS Hospital: Phone 801-408-8601 Fax: 801-408-8758
  • Riverton Hospital: Phone: 801-285-4000 Fax: 801-285-4731
  • McKay Dee Hospital: Phone: 801-387-4647 Fax: 801-387-4657
  • Layton Hospital: Phone: 801-543-6000 Fax: 801-543-6884
  • Logan Regional Hospital: Phone: 435-716-6189 Fax: 435-792-1667
  • Montana/Wyoming/Colorado: Phone: 406-237-8480 Fax: 406-237-8485

For questions about cardiovascular genetic counseling or the referral process, contact via phone or email:

Patient qualifiers

According to medical guidelines, patients who fit the following criteria may benefit from genetic counseling.

Cancer genetic counseling can help an individual determine whether or not they have inherited an increased risk for cancer. General "red flags" for hereditary cancer include the following:

Cancer at a young age

  • Breast cancer ≤45 years Colorectal cancer ≤50 years
  • Endometrial cancer ≤50 years Triple negative breast cancer ≤60 years
  • Rare cancer/tumor
  • Ovarian cancer
  • Pancreatic cancer
  • Male breast cancer
  • Metastatic prostate cancer
  • Colorectal or endometrial cancer with abnormal IHC tumor staining
  • 10 or more colorectal polyps (especially adenomas)

Multiple cancers (in the patient and/or relatives on one side of the family)

  • Two breast cancers, with one ≤50 years
  • Three breast cancers at any age
  • Three prostate cancers at any age
  • Two or more colorectal, uterine, ovarian, gastric, pancreatic, urinary, biliary, small bowel, or brain cancers
  • Three or more melanomas, especially with a history of pancreatic cancer
  • Breast or prostate cancer plus Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry

National Comprehensive Cancer Network Clinical Practice Guidelines

For more information on the latest cancer detection, prevention, and risk reduction guidelines, visit the National Comprehensive Cancer Network resource.

Individuals with a personal and/or family history of the following inherited heart conditions may see a cardiology genetic counselor.

Inherited Cardiomyopathies

  • Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy or dysplasia (ARVC or ARVD)
  • Familial transthyretin amyloidosis
  • Familial or sporadic idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy
  • Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
  • Left ventricular non-compaction (LVNC)
  • Peripartum cardiomyopathy
  • Restrictive cardiomyopathy

Inherited Arrhythmias

  • Atrial fibrillation–early onset or family history
  • Brugada syndrome
  • Catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachychardia (CPVT)
  • Long QT syndrome
  • Progressive conduction system disease
  • Short QT syndrome
  • Sudden cardiac death–personal or family history of resuscitated sudden cardiac arrest or sudden cardiac death, or family history of unexplained death

Aortic/Vascular Disease

  • Aortic aneurysm and/or dissection (typically <50y, unexplained, or familial
  • Coarctation of the aorta
  • Marfan syndrome
  • Loeys-Dietz syndrome
  • Vascular Ehlers-Danlos (IV)
  • Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD)

Other

  • Congenital heart defects
  • Familial hypercholesterolemia
  • Familial or idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension

Women and families who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant may see a prenatal genetic counselor for reasons including:

  • If a woman or her partner has a personal or family history of one of the following and is currently pregnant or considering pregnancy: birth defect, genetic condition, intellectual disability, recurrent pregnancy losses (>2 or 3), or consanguinity
  • If a woman has received an abnormal or atypical genetic screen result for the pregnancy
  • If a prenatal ultrasound shows findings suggestive of a birth defect or genetic condition
  • If a woman desires prenatal diagnostic testing
  • If the patient and her partner are both carriers for the same genetic condition, or the patient carries an X-linked condition