Contracting for Informed's Services
The information provided below should be useful to health care providers (health
insurers, employer based health insurance providers, large medical/hospital
systems, etc.) in deciding whether contracting with Informed Medical Decisions
may be the right choice for your members and patients.
Cancer genetic counseling recommendations
“ASCO recommends that genetic testing only be done in the
setting of pre- and post-test counseling, which should include discussion of
possible risks and benefits of cancer early detection and prevention
modalities.” JCO 21;2003.
Informed provides easy access to Board Certified/Eligible Genetic Counselors for
individuals at risk for hereditary cancer. These experts are available by
telephone.
Genetic Counseling for individuals considering genetic testing for hereditary
cancer is recommended by professional societies such as:
"ASCO supports efforts to ensure that all individuals at
significantly increased risk of hereditary cancer have access to appropriate
genetic counseling, testing, screening, surveillance, and all related medical
and surgical interventions, which should be covered without penalty by public
and private third party payers." JCO 21:2003
Most genetic counselors are available in and around large cities, leaving vast
areas of the United States without access to their expertise. Informed’s
telephone approach increases access for all individuals at risk for hereditary
cancer, regardless of their location.
Informed’s genetic experts have extensive experience providing hereditary cancer
genetic counseling and testing. We work to ensure that patients and providers
can make confident medical management decisions based on the individuals’
increased cancer risks.
Informed Medical Decisions cancer genetic counseling services
Informed Medical Decisions:
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documents and interprets the patients personal and family medical history to
provide cancer risk assessments for the individual.
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identifies individuals who may benefit from cancer genetic testing.
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provides pre- and post-test genetic counseling including information regarding
the benefits and limitations of genetic tests and high-risk medical management
options.
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facilitates the genetic testing process to ensure appropriate testing.
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interprets complicated genetic test results for patients and their health care
providers.
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identifies research, advocacy, and support resources for individuals who are at
increased risk for cancer based on genetic test results and/or family medical
history.
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provides summary letters for patients and their health care providers that
review the content of the telephone consultations and documents cancer risks
and medical management options to be considered.
CONTACT Informed NOW to discuss
options for contractiong for their genetic counseling services.
What do genetic counselors provide for individuals at risk for hereditary
cancer?
It is estimated that over 1 million people in the United States
carry a hereditary gene mutation that causes increased cancer risks.
However, fewer than 3 percent of them know it.
Genetic counselors use the family history as a tool to identify those who are at
risk for hereditary cancer. We work with our individual clients to target
genetic testing in their family in order to provide the most informative
results. Our genetic counselors interpret complex genetic test results and
ensure that individuals receive accurate cancer risk information and
appropriate medical management recommendations. Genetic counselors help
individuals at increased risks for cancer make informed decisions about genetic
tests, preventive options, and cancer screening based on their individual
risks.
Why use Informed’s genetic counseling services?
Access
Informed is one of the first companies to take an
alternative approach to providing access to genetics experts. Telephone access
to genetic counseling services for hereditary cancer provides a unique way for
busy individuals to access these experts. The genetic testing process for
hereditary cancer risk includes both a pre- and a post-test consultation with a
genetic counselor. Traditional in-person services require multiple visits and
may require lengthy travel time for patients. Most cancer genetics experts work
in and around large cities leaving vast areas of the United States without
access to their expertise. These obstacles to genetic services are overcome
with telephone genetic counseling services.
Expertise
The founder of Informed has extensive experience in
clinical cancer genetic counseling, cancer genetic molecular testing, and
cancer genetic counseling by telephone. These unique experiences allow Informed
to provide expert cancer genetic counseling services by telephone. Only the
most up-to-date and clinically relevant tests and information is provided to
patients accessing our telephone services.
Focus on Health Literacy
The field of genetics poses special health literacy and
numeracy (def. Able to think and express oneself effectively in quantitative
terms) challenges. A significant component of genetic counseling for hereditary
cancer requires individuals to comprehend possible risks (of developing cancer,
of carrying a gene mutation, of reducing cancer risks with varying medical
management options, etc.). These risks are inevitably tied to concepts such as
probability and proportions which are difficult to comprehend for those with
low numeracy. The genetic counseling field is only beginning to explore how
health literacy and numeracy affects our patient’s knowledge and decision
making. Informed will continually consider creative ways to inform and empower
patients and their providers to use cancer risk information to make the most
informed decisions.
Efficiency
Hereditary cancer services require a significant amount
of time and expertise. This is reflected in waiting lists and multiple
in-person visits for cancer genetic counseling services across the country.
Informed has built in efficiencies that streamline the entire process for
patients, health care providers, and their own counselors. Our telephone option
eliminates all of the travel time and cost associated with traditional
in-person services.
Coordination of follow up care
At Informed we facilitate the genetic testing process,
when patients chose this option, by working with the patients’ designated local
health care provider. Patients are recommended to share the summary letter
resulting from their interaction(s) with Informed, including interpretation of
any genetic test results, with their most trusted health care providers. This
collaboration encourages the patient to work with their health care provider(s)
to implement the best medical management strategy based on their individual
cancer risks.
Outcomes reporting
Informed provides contracted health insurance and other
providers the option to receive summary data regarding utilization (uptake of
telephone counseling, uptake of genetic tests, changes in screening and
preventive choices, etc.), health outcomes (cancer diagnoses, methods of
detection, etc.), and patient specifics (knowledge, patient satisfaction with
pre- and post-test counseling, etc.)
How can my members/patients access Informed’s cancer genetic counseling
services?
Informed contracts with health care providers (health insurers, employer
administered health plans, and large hospital and health care organizations) to
make access to their telephone genetic counseling services available to those
who are at risk for hereditary cancer. Please contact Informed directly by
e-mail at: payors@informedmedicaldecisions.com
or telephone (1.800.975.4819) if you are interested in learning more about
contracting with Informed for their telephone cancer genetic counseling
services.
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