Mandate for Quality Genetic Services
Access to quality genetic services is critical to comprehensive healthcare.
It is essential that:
- Individuals and families partner with their healthcare providers to identify needs, develop and monitor treatment plans, and manage their genetic condition.
- Genetic information, resources, and services are integrated in home-based, community-based, and hospital care for individuals across the life span.
- Referrals to support groups and resources are offered at regular office visits.
- Healthcare providers refer individuals to appropriate specialists, as needed, including those outside of their health insurance plan.
- Providers and payers consider the psychosocial, as well as the medical, effects of a genetic condition—on both the individual and his or her family—at each stage of life.
- Healthcare insurance plans reimburse diagnosis and treatment for all genetic conditions.
- Quality resources are available to assist individuals and their families in understanding family health history, signs/symptoms, and screening/testing options along with their implications, diagnosis, treatment, and long-term follow-up, if needed.
- Healthcare providers with experience in genetic services are available to all individuals.
- Providers, payers, and employers have policies and procedures to ensure the appropriate use of genetic information and comply with GINA where applicable.
- Information about genetic conditions is provided to individuals and families in a culturally competent manner, which may include: language, educational level, and appropriate media.
- Information about genetic research and clinical trials is available to affected individuals and integrated into clinical practice when appropriate.
Approved by the Genetic Alliance Council, November 2013
