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

Intermountain's highly-skilled and certified genetic counselors specialize in cancer, prenatal, and cardiology genetic counseling services.

Our Process

What can a patient expect during a genetic counseling session?

At the 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.

Patient Qualifiers and How to Refer

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Patient Qualifiers

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

Cancer

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.

Prenatal

Women and families who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant may see a prenatal genetic counselor for reasons including:
  • If a woman 35 years of age or older desires prenatal genetic screening
  • 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)
  • If a woman has a multiple gestation and desires prenatal genetic screening
  • If a woman or her partner has a blood test that returns indicating an increased risk for a birth defect or genetic condition in her current or future pregnancies
  • If a prenatal ultrasound shows findings suggestive of a birth defect or genetic condition
  • If a woman has concerns about exposure to drugs, alcohol, or medications in pregnancy 

We welcome any provider questions about referrals for reproductive genetic counseling.

Cardiology

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
More
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How to Refer

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

Cancer Genetic Counseling

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.

Cardiology Genetic Counseling

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

Prenatal Genetic Counseling

Fax in referrals to (801) 442-0592. For questions regarding a referral, click here or call one of the numbers below.  

St. George Regional Hospital, Utah Valley Hospital, American Fork Hospital

Intermountain Medical Center

LDS Hospital, Riverton Hospital

Logan Regional Hospital, McKay-Dee Hospital, Layton Hospital

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