Support the Access to Genetic Counselor Services Act
Medicare beneficiaries face significant barriers in accessing genetic counseling services as the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) do not currently recognize certified genetic counselors (CGC) as healthcare providers. This lack of recognition means CGCs cannot be reimbursed for providing services to Medicare beneficiaries which impedes patients’ access to genetic counseling. Evidence shows that CGCs improve the quality of patients’ healthcare and reduce the costs of genetic services.
View the complete list of endorsing organizations and add your organization’s endorsement to the bill.
Access to Genetic Counselor Services Act Summary
- Genetic counseling is currently reimbursed under Medicare only when provided by recognized practitioners (e.g., physicians, certified nurse midwives, physician assistants, audiologists). Genetic counselors themselves are not recognized as Medicare providers and therefore cannot be reimbursed when they provide genetic counseling services.
- The bill would fix this barrier and recognize genetic counselors as Medicare providers, allowing them to directly receive reimbursement under Medicare Part B.
- The bill 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.
- The bill 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.
- The bill would reimburse genetic counselor services at 85% of the physician rate – helping expand access while also lowering Medicare costs.
- Please support the Access to Genetic Counselor Services Act, 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.
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: