Patient FAQs

Discussing genetic information with family members is a personal decision, though sharing this information is often encouraged for at-risk family members. By providing family members with information, you enable them to make informed and educated decisions about their health. There is no one-size-fits-all for having this discussion with family members, and some individuals may not feel comfortable sharing this information. Many genetic counselors and providers can offer advice and help in facilitating this discussion. They may even have a “family letter” that can be used to send this information to your family members. If you are wondering how to best approach this discussion with your family, we would recommend that you discuss this with your provider and/or genetic counselor.

All test results include information about the patient such as name and date of birth, how the test was performed, and the test results. Depending on the type of test you have, results may indicate a variant that is the cause of the disease or symptoms you or your child have. Some results may indicate a variant of unknown significance called a VUS, which may or may not be associated with the disease. It is also important to understand that genetic tests may have limitations in detecting specific types of variants, so it is best to consult with your physician about the testing you are undergoing.

Variants of uncertain significance (VUS) are genomic variants that are possibly related to the patient’s symptoms, but the clinical significance of the variant is unclear at the time of testing. We encourage the ordering provider to include all relevant information about the patient’s symptoms and results of any prior testing when placing a test order. If any additional testing is performed after receiving a VUS result, we encourage the ordering provider to share that information with us, as it may help us determine whether the VUS is the cause of a disease or symptoms. In some cases, testing the patient’s parents or other family members may help us understand if the VUS causes disease and this testing may be offered free-of-charge.

Our Client Services team is available Monday – Friday 8 am – 6 pm CST. Our Sample Management division is open to receive samples Monday – Saturday 8 am -7 pm.

Typically, Baylor Genetics follows the FedEx schedule to ensure that if FedEx is delivering packages, we have someone on-site to receive the package.

You contact us via email at info@baylorgenetics.com or by phone at 1-800-411-4363.

Yes. We recommend that you first contact the healthcare provider who ordered your test for a referral, as they may have their own genetic counseling services. Baylor Genetics has also teamed up with Genome Medical, a telehealth genetic counseling service, to offer post-test genetic counseling for US residents who receive positive or uncertain results from qualifying tests.

No, Baylor Genetics does not provide pre-test genetic counseling services. Your healthcare provider can provide referrals to appropriate genetic counseling services. The National Society of Genetic Counselors (NSGC) also has a web-based tool to locate a genetic counselor for either an in-person or telehealth visit. Visit https://findageneticcounselor.nsgc.org/ to search for genetic counselors in your area.

• You may be eligible for post-test genetic counseling services through Genome Medical if you have received a qualifying Baylor Genetics test result and your healthcare provider has referred you for genetic counseling.
• A qualifying test result is any positive or uncertain result received from most Baylor Genetics’ Whole Genome Sequencing, Whole Exome Sequencing, genetic panel, and mitochondrial tests.

Some people may be eligible for genetic counseling at no additional out-of-pocket cost. We will determine your eligibility, while Genome Medical will perform scheduling, billing, and genetic counseling services.

Your genetic counseling information is protected by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). This means that access is limited to you, your referring healthcare provider, your genetic counselor, and authorized healthcare team members. You and your provider will receive a summary of your appointment within 48 hours of your session.

Yes, we’ve teamed up with phlebotomy networks to provide you with two flexible options:

• Patient service centers through My One Medical Source (MOMS): In-person blood draws at over 1600 locations nationwide.
• Mobile service through Travalab: At-home blood draws that come to you.
• Please speak with your provider to learn more about these services.

• Patient Service Center appointments through My One Medical Service (MOMS) are offered at no charge when a blood draw is not available through your healthcare provider.
• Travalab will bill you directly and work with you on payment options.

Yes, both My One Medical Service (MOMS) and Travalab have pediatric-trained phlebotomists. Some additional restrictions may apply. Please verify the availability of these services when scheduling.

A certified phlebotomist will collect your blood sample similar to how your blood would be drawn at a doctor’s office. Bring your sample collection kit provided by Baylor Genetics to your appointment.

Contact your healthcare provider directly so they can provide you with the appropriate collection kit.

My One Medical Service (MOMS) has over 250,000 locations across the United States. You can check coverage for your specific area when scheduling through https://patient.myonemedicalsource.com/online-appointment.

Travalab offers at-home service in many locations. Check coverage at https://www.travalab.com/coverage.

Your sample will be transported directly to our lab promptly after collection. Both services prioritize minimizing delivery times for your samples.

Eligible tests include the following:

• Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) (Rapid or Standard)
• Whole Exome Sequencing (WES) (Rapid or Standard)
• Genetic Panels
• Chromosomal Microarray Analysis (CMA)
• Mitochondrial Testing

The best way to have genetic testing is by talking with your primary care provider about a referral to a genetics clinic or specialist. It is important to discuss the benefits and risks of genetic testing with a genetic counselor or genetics provider who will be able to explain the testing, so you can make an informed decision about whether genetic testing is the best option for you and your family.

Under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA), Baylor Genetics is required by law to maintain the privacy of patient health information called protected health information (PHI) and we are committed to the protection of all patient PHI.
As permitted under HIPAA, Baylor Genetics may use or disclose the PHI to an individual or entity authorized to receive or review the information for the purposes described below:

• Disclosures for treatment, payment, or healthcare operations;
• Disclosures to the patient or his/her personal representative;
• Disclosures made pursuant to an authorization;
• Incidental disclosures;
• Disclosures for a facility directory or to family/caregivers;
• Disclosures for national security or intelligence purposes;
• Disclosures to law enforcement officials or correctional facilities;
• Disclosures in accordance with established public health activities.
• Disclosures as part of a Limited Data Set;
• Disclosures of patient’s PHI which occurred more than six years prior to the date an accounting is requested.

Otherwise, Baylor Genetics will obtain patient authorization before using or disclosing PHI, where the use or disclosure doesn’t fall within an exception to the HIPAA Privacy Regulation.

This depends on the reason for testing. In general, testing minors for adult-onset diseases is not recommended since knowing the test result would not change healthcare for the child. Genetic testing in minors is appropriate when a healthcare provider is trying to identify the cause of symptoms or a disease in a child. Understanding the cause of symptoms of a disease may help determine treatment or give information about what to expect in the future.

Familial variant testing looks to see if someone else in the family has the same variant that may be associated with a disease. Sometimes this testing is done by a family member to see if they have the same variant that has been identified in their family and are at risk of having the same disease. This test requires a report with the original individual’s variant, and there is a charge for this test. Other times, Baylor Genetics may request that family members be tested to help interpret the results of another family member. This testing is performed at no charge since we asked an individual to submit a sample for testing. 

Genetic testing can be ordered by your family member’s healthcare provider or genetic counselor. The best way to help your family members talk with their healthcare team is to give them a copy of your test results. Familial testing can then be performed to look for the specific variant or mutation that was identified in the family.