Frequently Asked Questions About FAMILION

Who should be tested?
A doctor may order this test for any patient with a clinically diagnosed cardiac channelopathy or a cardiomyopathy or for any patient whom he/she strongly believes has one of these disorders. A doctor may also order this test for any at-risk members of families in which a mutation has already been identified.

Why should I be tested?
Identifying the genetic mutation that causes your disorder can help your doctor to decide how best to treat you. Once the FAMILION test has identified a genetic mutation in a family, that information can then be used to guide evaluation and testing of other family members.

Where can I be tested?
Only your doctor can order this test. If you think you or a family member is a good candidate for the FAMILION test, you should discuss it with your doctor.

How long will it take to get my test results?
Once the analysis begins, test results should be available in approximately 6 weeks for index testing and approximately 4 weeks for Family Specific testing. They will be sent directly to your doctor.

What results can I expect from the FAMILION® test?
The FAMILION test will provide information to your doctor about whether you have a mutation in any of the ion channel genes in the test that is ordered. The genes explain up to 75% of the cases of LQTS, 55% of the cases of CPVT, and 15-20% of the cases of BrS and 50-60% of patients with a high index of suspicion for HCM. This means that even if your test is negative, you could still have LQTS, CPVT, BrS, or HCM due to another cause. Scientists are working to identify other genes to explain the remainder of the cases. Additional genes may be added to the FAMILION tests in the future.

Who will have access to my results?
The doctor who ordered your test will be sent your results. Your insurance carrier may also require a copy of your results if you have requested that PGxHealth bill them for the cost of the test. No one else will be sent your results unless you submit a written authorization to PGxHealth. If you have questions about who has access to your results, please call Customer Service or read our HIPAA privacy policy which describes in detail how we determine who has access to your results.

How does the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) affect patients?
The Genetic Information Nondiscrimination (GINA) Act of 2008 put protections in place so that health insurance providers and employers are prohibited from requesting, requiring, or using genetic information to discriminate in any way against members or employees. The first set of GINA protections covering nondiscrimination by health insurance providers will be enacted in May 2009. The second set of GINA protections covering employers will become effective in November 2009.

Will my insurance company pay for the test?
PGxHealth will assist each patient by working with their insurance provider to pre-authorize services and determine benefit information upon request.  PGxHealth will contact the patient with this information prior to the initiation of testing.  PGxHealth will be quoted an estimate of coverage from the insurance carrier and cannot guarantee reimbursement.  It is important to remember that your insurance provider may not cover these services, or may only pay up to usual and customary rates, and you are ultimately responsible for all costs of this test. Learn more about the changing reimbursement landscape.

For assistance, please call FAMILION Customer Service  toll free at 1(877)-2-PGx-Health or 1 (877) 274-9432 between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm Eastern Time.

1-877-2-PGXHEALTH (877-274-9432)