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Q: How is the
COLARIS® test
performed?
A:
The physician draws a small
amount of blood from the patient (or refers the
patient to a blood-draw facility) and then
sends it to Myriad Genetic Laboratories for
analysis of MLH1, MSH2, and MSH6 via the process of
gene sequencing.
COLARIS ® also can detect large rearrangements in MLH1 and MSH2 that will not be identified by gene sequencing. |
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Q: How long
does it take to get the test results from a
patient's COLARIS®
test?
A:
You will receive your
patient's test results to share with that
patient as soon as they are available, which
can be as quickly as four weeks from the
testing date. |
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Q: Will a
patient's health insurance pay for the
COLARIS®
test?
A: Most
health insurance plans pay for COLARIS®.
Your patients can call the Myriad Reimbursement
Assistance Program (MRAP) at 1-800-469-7423
for more details about the reimbursement process.
MRAP can also assist patients with determining coverage
through their insurance companies. |
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Q: Can a
health insurance provider discriminate against
a patient based on his or her COLARIS® test results?
A:
A number of federal and state laws prohibit insurance discrimination to various degrees. The Health Insurance Portability Protection Act (HIPAA) recognizes genetic information as Protected Health Information (PHI) and specifies protection for the confidentiality of PHI. HIPAA also provides restrictions on health-related information in making coverage decisions and in setting premiums by group health insurers, although HIPAA does not provide such restrictions for non-group plans. HIPAA further states that genetic information in the absence of a diagnosis cannot be considered a pre-existing condition. In the federal government, executive departments and agencies are prohibited by executive order from using protected genetic information as a basis for employment decisions. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has interpreted the Americans with Disabilities act to provide some additional protections from the use of genetic information by employers. Many states have enacted additional protections against genetic discrimination in health insurance or employment or both. The Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act is currently awaiting final approval in the US Senate, to complete broad protection of genetic information.
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Q: If a
patient has already been diagnosed with HNPCC
or a related cancer, what specifically does a
positive COLARIS® result
indicate?
A:
People with
HNPCC gene mutations
are at a greater risk of developing a new
cancer, either in the colon, endometrium or
other areas. Knowing a patient's genetic status
can help you take steps to reduce this risk or
to detect another potential cancer at an early,
more treatable stage. Also, a patient's test
results have significant meaning to the health
of his or her family members. |
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| » Next section: Professional Practice Guidelines |
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