Health Insurance Reimbursement & Payment Options

Testing for hereditary cancer risk is becoming more common, especially as healthcare provides new options for cancer risk reduction to physicians and patients. Most insurance carriers cover genetic testing services. In fact, although each situation is unique, the average patient pays only 10% of the test price out-of-pocket. Myriad assists in obtaining reimbursement for the genetic tests we offer. Our goal is to ensure that you receive the appropriate coverage from your plan and are aware of your own financial obligations prior to testing.

Your Healthcare provider documents certain key ancestry and personal history information and designates the appropriate test for you on Myriad's Test Request Form. On the same form, you choose a payment option by checking the appropriate box. If you choose Insurance Billing, your signature is also required in the Insurance billing section.

Payment options are outlined below:

Option 1— Insurance Billing
If you choose Insurance Billing on the Test Request Form, Myriad will verify coverage and determine your responsibility. If your coinsurance responsibility will exceed $375, prior to processing your specimen, we will contact you directly within three business days after sample receipt at Myriad to discuss the specifics of your case and options available to you. If coinsurance is NOT expected to exceed $375, you are not contacted and your specimen processing begins immediately.

Note: Although rare, some insurers may require a pre-authorization before the sample is submitted for testing, which may delay the start of the test. We will contact the healthcare provider if this is the case.

You must sign the Insurance Billing Patient/Responsible Party signature line on the Test Request Form and submit enlarged photocopies of the front and back of the your insurance card. Myriad will submit bills directly to insurance carriers and will appeal and resubmit claims on your behalf, with input from your authorized healthcare provider as needed. Coinsurance and unmet deductibles are your responsibility.

Option 2— Patient Payment
Pay for the testing service yourself. With your sample, you provide credit card information or a check or money order payable to Myriad Genetic Laboratories, Inc. for the full amount of the test. Contact Customer Service for installment payment options.

Canceling the Test
If you cancel a test before it is started, you will not be charged. Testing is usually started 24-48 hours after receipt at Myriad. Once your test is started, you are responsible for payment of the test.

Medicare
Medicare Patients should select Option 1. Medicare pays for the test when specific criteria are met. Your physician should consult Medicare's web site to determine if you meet Medicare's criteria for genetic testing, and can obtain assistance in interpreting the criteria from Myriad's Medical Services at 800-469-7423. For all Medicare patients, a copy of the signed informed consent is required before testing will begin. For patients who do not meet Medicare criteria, a signed Advance Beneficiary Notice (ABN) is also required to be received by Myriad before testing will begin. Because Medicare will likely not cover test costs for patients who do not meet Medicare criteria, test costs will be billed to you.

Myriad Financial Assistance Program
Myriad is able to offer testing at no charge to uninsured patients that meet specific financial and medical criteria. Patients who are recipients of government-funded programs (i.e. Medicaid, Medicare) or those that have any third-party insurance are not eligible to apply.

Qualification requirements and the submission instructions are provided on the Myriad Financial Assistance Program application:

To view the current HHS financial guidelines, please view the link below.
http://aspe.hhs.gov/poverty/index.shtml

Privacy Issues
It is Myriad's policy that test results are disclosed only to the requesting healthcare provider/designee and are not disclosed to anyone else (including insurance carriers) without the written permission of the patient.

Federal and state laws prohibit health insurance discrimination against patients who undergo genetic testing. In 1996, the federal government enacted the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Under this law, patients in group health insurance plans are protected from discrimination based on genetic information.

Studies have found no documented cases of health insurance discrimination on the basis of genetic testing for hereditary cancer syndromes. Most states have enacted laws further protecting patients from discrimination based on genetic information.

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