Medicare reimbursement would be permitted for licensed genetic counselors under a bipartisan bill sponsored on Nov. 21 by U.S. Rep. Adrian Smith (R-NE).
“Expanded access to genetic counseling will improve the lives of seniors across the country” Rep. Smith said. “Rapidly advancing technology and ever-growing knowledge of the human genome and its relationship with our health means seniors will be able to identify risks and diseases even earlier, improving outcomes and lowering treatment costs.”
The congressman introduced the Access to Genetic Counselor Services Act, H.R. 6280, alongside lead original cosponsor U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (D-FL) to provide for expanded coverage of services furnished by genetic counselors under part B of the Medicare program.
These counselors have extensive training in identifying which tests are most appropriate for a particular patient, and how to interpret test results to best inform the patient’s plan of care, according to a bill summary provided by the lawmakers.
“Genetic counselors guide and support patients and their families through some of the most difficult moments in their lives with expertise and compassion, and are an integral part of the care team,” said Rep. Castor. “The common-sense, cost-effective Access to Genetic Counselor Services Act would help grow the genetic counseling profession and ensure our neighbors get the most accurate care.”
The measure has garnered substantial support from myriad organizations, including the National Society of Genetic Counselors, the Access to Expanded Carrier Screening Coalition, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, the American Parkinson Disease Association, the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, the Epilepsy Foundation of America, the Muscular Dystrophy Association, the National Down Syndrome Society, the National Organization for Rare Disorders, the Parkinson’s Foundation, and Susan G. Komen, among many others.
Additionally, numerous universities across the country endorsed the bill, such as Penn State Health, the Saint Louis University School of Medicine, the Northwestern University Graduate Program in Genetic Counseling, the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the University at Buffalo, Johns Hopkins Medicine, and the Columbia University Irving Medical Center, among several others.