Genome Medical Genetic Counseling and Educational Services Now Available to Cigna Customers

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Oct 31, 2018, 08:00 ET

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., Oct. 31, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Genome Medical, a leading telegenomics technology and services company, announced today that it has begun providing genetic counseling services for Cigna customers and contracted health care providers, effective Oct. 1.

"Genome Medical offers fast, convenient access to clinicians who are specially trained in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with genetic disorders," said Steven B. Bleyl, M.D., PhD, chief medical officer of Genome Medical. "Our nationwide medical practice includes medical geneticists, genetic counselors, primary care physicians and pharmacists who can provide Cigna customers and health care providers with specialized clinical support."

As the availability, use and complexity of genetic testing continues to grow, so does the need for education, support and guidance for determining the best course of action. Genome Medical offers on-demand genetic expertise and educational tools via telehealth consults for primary care, cancer, cardiovascular conditions, reproductive health, pediatrics and pharmacogenetics.

"We are committed to helping the people we serve access the genetic expertise and educational tools they need to make informed health care decisions for themselves and their families," said Jeffrey Hankoff, M.D., medical director at Cigna. "Adding Genome Medical to our genetic counseling program expands access for our customers and contracted care providers to a highly-specialized nationwide practice of credentialed, in-network and certified genetic counselors."

Genome Medical's collaborative clinical team of more than 40 genetic experts and medical specialists is able to review, assess and make care decisions on behalf of patients, as well as work with care providers in a peer-to-peer consultation capacity.

"Cigna's selection of Genome Medical demonstrates the importance of making genetic expertise and genomic services an integrated part of how patients receive care, and providers deliver it," said Lisa Alderson, co-founder and CEO, Genome Medical. "Genomics can greatly improve a provider's ability to identify disease risk to intervene earlier and make more informed diagnosis and treatment decisions. Cigna is innovative in its embrace of this new medical paradigm, and we are pleased to make our services available to its customers."

About Genome Medical
Genome Medical is a national telegenomics technology and services company bringing genomic medicine to everyday care delivery. Our clinical team provides expert virtual genetic care for individuals and their families to improve health and well-being. We also help healthcare providers and their patients navigate the rapidly expanding field of genetics and utilize test results to understand the risk for disease, accelerate disease diagnosis, make informed treatment decisions and lower the cost of care. We are shepherding in a new era of genomic medicine by creating easy, efficient access to top genetic experts. Genome Medical is headquartered in South San Francisco and is backed by Canaan Partners, GE Ventures, Illumina Ventures, Kaiser Permanente Ventures and HealthInvest Equity Partners. To learn more, visit www.genomemedical.com and follow @GenomeMed.

SOURCE Genome Medical