Cigna Builds on Three Years of Success, Expands Genetic Counseling Program
April 21 2016 - 1:30PM
Business Wire
- Coverage for broader range of genetic
tests tied to genetic counseling
- Program helps the right people get the
right genetic testing at the right time
- Provides customers with information
they need to make informed health care decisions
- Research shows nearly 95 percent of
customers satisfied and 95 percent feel more informed after genetic
counseling
Cigna (NYSE: CI) is building on the success of its genetic
counseling program and expanding it to include additional genetic
tests. Starting July 15, as a condition of coverage, Cigna will
require genetic counseling with an independent board-certified
genetics specialist for customers who are considering genetic
testing for:
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Cigna Builds on Three Years of Success,
Expands Genetic Counseling Program (Graphic: Business Wire)
- Whole exome sequencing (WES), a complex
genetic test that analyzes all of the genes and their coding
sections called exons – together called the “exome;”
- Hereditary cancers in addition to
breast, ovarian, and colorectal cancer;
- Hereditary heart disease in addition to
long QT syndrome;
- Pediatric microarray analysis for
children with certain developmental delays or intellectual
disabilities.
Cigna began its genetic counseling program in 2013 for customers
undergoing genetic testing for hereditary breast, ovarian and
colorectal cancer and for a hereditary heart condition known as
long QT syndrome. It was the first national health service company
to require genetic counseling before approving coverage for genetic
tests that are complex and frequently misunderstood.
Since then, more than 32,000 Cigna customers have had genetic
counseling through the program and the average number of monthly
claims for genetic counseling has more than doubled. According to
customer satisfaction data1 from InformedDNA, Cigna's genetic
counseling service partner, nearly 95 percent of customers say they
are satisfied with the service. Ninety-five percent say they feel
more informed about their genetic risks while 94 percent say they
can make informed decisions about their hereditary risks.
Ninety-seven percent said their genetic counselor was willing and
able to answer their questions and discuss their concerns.
A Cigna customer from Virginia wrote to the company about her
experience with genetic counseling for hereditary breast and
ovarian cancer: “The counselor was very knowledgeable and answered
all my questions and concerns. I felt like I made my decision to
have the testing based on information that was specific to my
family history and not national statistics. I learned more about my
family history in gathering information to discuss with my
counselor. I think in my case the genetic counseling was beneficial
and I would recommend it to others in a high risk category.”
As science advances, the number of genetic tests available is
growing exponentially. That’s creating a state of bewilderment for
individuals as they struggle to understand what genetic tests they
should or shouldn’t have. Multiple tests are often bundled together
in a panel, and while one test in the panel might be appropriate
for an individual, others might not be. Genetic counseling aims to
minimize the confusion and arm people with information that helps
them make health care decisions based on clinical guidelines and
their individual circumstances.
“There’s a lot of information directed at consumers that can be
very confusing,” said Jeffrey F. Hankoff, M.D., Cigna's medical
officer for clinical performance and quality. “Just because a
genetic test is available doesn’t mean that it’s right for
everyone; what’s appropriate for an individual depends on family
medical history and risk factors. Counseling from an independent,
board-certified genetics specialist can help individuals make
informed decisions about having a potentially life-altering test
and can also help them understand the health implications of their
test results.”
Cigna developed its genetic testing and counseling program in
collaboration with InformedDNA, a company that specializes in
genetics and provides telephone genetic counseling by
board-certified genetics specialists nationwide.
“With multi-gene/panel testing becoming increasingly common,
it’s more important than ever to have specially trained genetics
professionals involved in the ordering and interpreting of these
complex genetic tests," said David Nixon, CEO of InformedDNA.
"The pace of new genetic discoveries is staggering, making it
impossible for frontline physicians to stay current. Providing
physicians and their patients evidence-based guidance in their
decision-making helps deliver better quality care and a better
patient experience.”
When considering which genetic tests should be subject to
genetic counseling, Cigna reviews evidence-based guidelines from
well-known and highly-regarded professional organizations. For
example, the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics
(ACMG) recommends genetic counseling as the standard of care for
whole exome sequencing and the Heart Rhythm Society (HRS)
recommends it as the standard of care for certain hereditary heart
conditions.
About Cigna
Cigna Corporation (NYSE: CI) is a global health service company
dedicated to helping people improve their health, well-being and
sense of security. All products and services are provided
exclusively by or through operating subsidiaries of Cigna
Corporation, including Connecticut General Life Insurance Company,
Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company, Life Insurance Company of
North America and Cigna Life Insurance Company of New York. Such
products and services include an integrated suite of health
services, such as medical, dental, behavioral health, pharmacy,
vision, supplemental benefits, and other related products including
group life, accident and disability insurance. Cigna maintains
sales capability in 30 countries and jurisdictions, and has more
than 90 million customer relationships throughout the world. To
learn more about Cigna®, including links to follow us on Facebook
or Twitter, visit www.cigna.com.
About InformedDNA: InformedDNA helps individuals and
healthcare providers accurately interpret family health history and
genomics, bringing the promise of personalized healthcare to life.
InformedDNA is the authority on the appropriate use of genetic
testing – leveraging the expertise of the largest network of
independent board-certified genetics specialists to help ensure
health plans, hospitals, employers, community clinicians and
patients all have access to the highest quality genetic services.
InformedDNA's key offerings include clinical genetic counseling,
genetic testing utilization management, and personalized hereditary
risk assessment and prevention solutions. For more information,
visit InformedDNA.com.
1 Source: InformedDNA survey of Cigna customers who used
InformedDNA’s genetic counseling services in calendar year
2015.
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version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160421006383/en/
Cigna CorporationMark Slitt,
860-226-2092mark.slitt@cigna.com
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