Access to Genetic Counselor Services Act Summary
- Would recognize genetic counselors as Medicare providers, allowing them to directly receive reimbursement under Medicare Part B.
- Defines genetic counselors as those licensed by their state. If a state does not license genetic counselors, a person must be certified by the American Board of Genetic Counseling and meet any other requirements set by the Secretary of HHS.
- Does not change the ability of other practitioners to provide genetic counseling; it simply adds genetic counselors as qualified professionals eligible to be reimbursed for these services.
- Would reimburse genetic counselor services at 85% of the physician rate – helping expand access while also lowering Medicare costs.
- Bill led by Reps. Adrian Smith (R-NE) and Kathy Castor (D-FL) & Sens. John Barrasso (R-WY) and Peter Welch (D-VT).
- For additional information, view this one pager on the Access to Genertic Counselor Services Act.
Want to Endorse the Access to Genetic Counselor Services Act?
More than 200 associations and organizations across the United States representing patients, hospitals, health systems, academia, graduate programs, providers, healthcare workers and laboratories have joined us in supporting the bill, including the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, the American Kidney Fund, the American Society of Human Genetics, Association of Cancer Care Centers (ACCC), EveryLife Foundation for Rare Diseases (ELF), the Muscular Dystrophy Association, and the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD).
View the complete list of endorsing organizations and add your organization’s endorsement to the bill.
Several individual clinicians across the country have endorsed the bill. You can read the statement here, which has been signed by over 500 providers – including doctors, PAs, and NPs
Resources for Individuals to Support the Access to Genetic Counselor Services Act
In order to advance our efforts and make it easy for our members, fellow genetic counselors, patients, and other healthcare providers to support H.R. 6280, NSGC has created a number of resources for immediate use.
For our members and fellow genetic counselors:
To pass along to any non-genetic counselor clinicians you know or work with:
To pass along to any patients or friends and family to modify for support: