Frequently asked questions
About our service
1. How does your service work?
After you order the Navigenics Health Compass service, we send you a kit. The kit includes detailed instructions, a saliva collection vial and materials for shipping the vial to our laboratory for testing. The laboratory analyzes the sample and scans your entire genome, and Navigenics will then analyze your genetic risk for certain common conditions. We will then send you a personalized report, via our secure Web site, which is available for your review in six to eight weeks. In your report, we'll describe options for acting on your Health Compass results and working with your doctor. In some cases, you can make lifestyle changes to help prevent the conditions. In others, it might be early screening or heightened awareness, helping shorten the time from first symptoms to diagnosis to getting treatment as early as possible. As a part of our service, you have the option to review your results by telephone with a Navigenics Genetic Counselor. As new discoveries are made, we'll analyze them against your genetic code and alert you to what we've found.
2. Which conditions do you report on?
At present, heart disease, diabetes, various cancers, plus lesser-known conditions that you may be at risk for. The list will grow as the science advances, and as it does we'll let you know where you stand. For the current list of conditions, click here.
3. How do you decide which conditions to include?
The science has to be strong. The association between the genetic marker and the condition must have been published in a top-tier, peer-reviewed journal and replicated at least once. It is then reviewed by our team of Ph.D. geneticists for accuracy and validity.
You have to be able to do something about the conditions – try to prevent it, detect it early, get early treatment, reduce or delay the effects it has on your life. For details, click here.
4. Does my doctor have to sign off on this test?
No. Some states may require a licensed physician to order the test and, in some cases, may also require that test results be released only to the ordering physician. Navigenics contracts with licensed physicians to satisfy these legal requirements. (However, these interactions are not intended to create, nor do they create, any doctor-patient relationship between you and the ordering physician.) To protect your privacy, these physicians never see any of your personally identifiable information, such as your name, address or phone number.
5. How much does it cost?
The initial fee is $2,500, which includes the first 12-month membership; subsequent years will cost about $250 per year for ongoing access and updates.
6. What is the science behind your testing?
We check about a million variations in your genetic code, called SNPs, or single nucleotide polymorphisms. These serve as markers of your risk for common conditions.
Just because you have a predisposition for a certain condition does not mean you will develop it. But you have a greater genetic risk than someone who does not have those gene variants.
7. How do you estimate my risk of getting each condition?
We compare your own genetic markers with the data reported by researchers in scientific journals. Then we convert those results to a more accessible scale: Your estimated lifetime risk of having that condition.
8. What if I don't want to learn everything you discover about me?
That's fine. During the purchase process we'll ask you whether you want to pick and choose the conditions we tell you about. Then you can go into your profile and adjust the conditions you want displayed in your reports at any time.
9. Will insurance cover the cost of testing?
Generally not, at this time. If you have a health care flexible spending account, the cost of the Navigenics testing may be reimbursable. Check with your plan to be sure.
10. Am I too old to use this?
Because so many common conditions don't make themselves apparent until after age 65 or so, older generations can still benefit from knowing their genetic predisposition.
11. Can I test my children if they are minors?
Most of the conditions reported in the Navigenics Health Compass are adult-onset. Navigenics does not test individuals under the age of 18.
12. Can the Navigenics Health Compass report be used for genealogical purposes?
The genetic markers we examine have been chosen for their medical usefulness, not for their value in untangling family trees. Genealogists use a different type of marker that varies more from person to person, and they only use markers found on the paternal Y chromosome and in the maternal mitochondria.
13. What if new information comes out about one of these conditions after I have been tested?
We're on top of it. We are monitoring the scientific research about markers for these conditions, and while you're a member, we will e-mail you to let you know if we've refined your results.
14. If my results show that I am at above-average risk for a condition, does that mean I will get it?
No. It means your genetic risk is higher than most other people's. And by doing something about it, you might in fact avoid the condition entirely.
15. What if I already have a condition? Will this test tell me the underlying cause?
Because common conditions have a mix of genetic and environmental causes, it is difficult to determine exactly which factors led to the condition. Your genes are only part of the picture.
16. What about ethnic variation? I am not Caucasian — will my Navigenics Health Compass results be valid?
Most genome-wide association studies (the science on which Navigenics' product is based) have only been performed on people of European ancestry. Other populations carry some of the same genetic risk markers, but the effects may differ.
In addition, the reference population Navigenics uses to determine how often a given marker occurs comes from the International HapMap Project, the largest publicly available genetic database. Our reference population currently is made up of Americans of European descent. Our formula assumes that your ancestry is similar to that of the study and reference populations, so if it is not, the results may not be valid. As additional reference population databases become available we will update this information, and you may find the lifetime risk numbers become more precise based on different ethnicities.
It's hard to know at this point whether the results will apply to you. It may be that the results across different groups are similar, or it may be that they end up being different. We just don't know yet.
17. How long will it take to get my results?
Most results will be available within six to eight weeks of delivery. Occasionally, results may take longer. We will alert you if there are any delays in processing your sample.
Once you have your results
18. I learned that I am at risk for a condition and am very concerned. What should I do?
First, remember that this test is designed to uncover items for which you may have risk, based on your genetics. It is not a diagnostic test. Our Genetic Counselors can help you understand what your results mean. For medical advice, you should ask your health care provider about diagnostic options. To make an appointment with one of our Genetic Counselors, call Member Service at (866) 522-1585. If it's an after-hours emergency, your call will be routed to a service that can contact a Genetic Counselor. (Of course, in a medical or psychiatric emergency you should call 911.)
19. Since I tested negative, does that mean that I will not develop the condition?
No one is "negative" on our tests. If we tell you that you have no known genetic risk markers for a condition, it doesn't guarantee that you won't get it. It means that your risk is lower than people with those risk markers. But these conditions have many causes, genetic and environmental, some of which are not yet known.
20. You tested my entire genome, but I only learned about my risk for a certain number of conditions. How and when will I be able to learn more?
As we add conditions to our testing panel, we will update members with their new results. As long as you maintain a current Navigenics Health Compass membership, you will be able to receive these updates.
21. Can I talk to other specialists who have experience with this condition?
Navigenics provides you with access to Genetic Counselors who can discuss your results and the conditions we test for. However, your Genetic Counselor will not give you specific medical advice. For medical advice, you should consult your health care provider.
About our Genetic Counselors
22. What is a Genetic Counselor?
Genetic Counselors are trained health-care professionals who can help people understand and adapt to the medical, psychological and family implications of genetic contributions to disease. Navigenics employs a team of board-certified Genetic Counselors who specialize in explaining the full-genome scans that we provide.
23. Will my Genetic Counselor be able to see my results?
Your counselor will have confidential access to your Navigenics Health Compass report, so you can quickly refer to it together.
24. Will my Genetic Counselor keep our interactions confidential?
Yes, Genetic Counselors adhere to a code of ethics that includes maintaining the highest levels of privacy and confidentiality. (More information about this is available from the National Society of Genetic Counselors.)
25. If I need to speak with a Navigenics Genetic Counselor, do I need to schedule it now or can I wait?
You can schedule an appointment to speak with a Navigenics Genetic Counselor at any time. Call (866) 522-1585 to make your appointment. You may speak with your Genetic Counselor as many times as you need to.
26. Can I talk to a counselor in person?
Navigenics does not provide in-person genetic counseling. However, if you want to see a Genetic Counselor face-to-face, we can provide you with referrals to someone in your area.
Privacy, security and sharing your results
27. How will you protect my privacy?
We have built in automated technology as well as operational practices, applying the most current technology to protect your information. We operate consistent with HIPAA practices and build them into our infrastructure. We have multiple levels of security to deter external access to personal information, and our staff comes from leading companies that have set the standards for data security in a number of industries. All customers must provide authenticating information when they call Member Service.
28. If I share my results with my doctor, will my insurance company be able to see them?
Navigenics provides your results to you directly; it is up to you whom you share them with. Should you decide to share them with your doctor, this may result in the information becoming part of your permanent medical record and being shared with your insurance company. Discuss this concern with your doctor and agree on an approach that's comfortable for both of you. Ask your doctor whether you can speak more generally about the conditions that concern you, without referring to your actual report.
29. How will I know that my insurance company or employer will not get this information?
Navigenics will not share your Navigenics Health Compass results with any outside parties unless compelled to by law or a court order.
30. If my insurer did have my genomic information, could it be used to increase my premiums?
Generally not, but it depends on what kind of insurance you have and what state you live in. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) says that group health plans may not use any genetic information as a basis for denying or limiting eligibility for coverage, or for charging an individual more for coverage. It also says that genetic information in the absence of a current diagnosis of illness shall not be considered a pre-existing condition.
HIPAA applies to employer-based and commercially issued group health insurance only. There is no similar law applying to private individuals seeking health insurance in the individual market.
Many state laws also cover genetic discrimination, though they vary greatly. In California, to take one example, state laws prohibit health insurance plans from denying, canceling, refusing to renew or charging more for coverage, or for providing different terms or benefits to a person based on genetic characteristics.
More information is here.
31. How can you guarantee someone else won't be able to access my account?
We use the latest in data encryption technology and data security processes to ensure your data is safe. Beyond this, it is imperative that you not share your username and password with anyone.
32. How long is my DNA sample kept? Is it used for any other purpose?
Your DNA sample may be retained by the testing laboratory for up to one year after your saliva sample is processed, at which time your sample will be destroyed. Your DNA sample will not be used for any purpose other than supporting your Navigenics Health Compass service, unless you choose to participate in one of our research programs.
33. If I test at above-average risk, what should I tell my family members?
You may want to let your family members know about the risk markers you have, because they may have some of the same markers and also be at risk for some of the same conditions. However, in most cases, there is no way to know for sure which markers they have unless they also get tested. While your spouse does not share any DNA with you, your parents, siblings and children do. You may want to speak with one of our Genetic Counselors or read "Sharing your results with your family"on our Web site before discussing your results with people with whom you share DNA.
34. If I test at above-average estimated risk, should my children be tested?
If your children are 18 or older and are interested, they can be tested too. Keep in mind that your children may not have inherited your risk markers.
35. Can I get a copy of my genome scan results and have someone else look at them?
Yes, contact Member Service to receive your complete DNA transcript.
Why you can trust our results
36. How do I know the lab has tested my DNA correctly?
Navigenics has established methods to make sure that the integrity of your sample is maintained by the use of unique identifiers on the sample tube. The CLIA-certified laboratory we use has strict quality control procedures and lab methods to maintain integrity.
Our tests have been shown to produce highly accurate results. On average, the markers produce an accuracy rate of 100 percent in a set of 269 reference samples. For individual markers, we require an accuracy rate of at least 98 percent in the 269 reference samples.
37. Would a different test or technology possibly give me different results?
A different technology that detects the same markers we test for probably will give the same results. If different
markers are tested for then you would expect to get different results.
In the past, genetic testing dealt with relatively rare diseases caused mainly by one or a few genes. By contrast,
the testing offered by Navigenics estimates common disease risk based on a number of genetic markers that have been
studied and shown to be associated with certain conditions.
Navigenics Health Compass does not test for single-gene disorders. That kind of genetic testing may be appropriate for you based on personal or family history, but only you and your doctor can decide that. If you have questions about your family history of a condition, you may want to speak with your Navigenics Genetic Counselor.
38. How is your laboratory certified?
The laboratory we use is a CLIA-certified facility specifically designed to process saliva samples. CLIA (Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments) are federal quality guidelines for laboratory testing standards. There are numerous processes built to ensure that the results will be accurate. Although no process is foolproof, we have a number of safeguards we have designed into the process to ensure that the results are accurate.
Sample collection
39. What do I need to do to collect my sample?
It is important that you carefully follow the instructions in the saliva collection kit. Do not eat, drink, smoke, chew gum, brush your teeth or rinse your mouth for 30 minutes before giving your sample. For best results, collect your sample just before eating a meal and when you are in good health. Some people may find it hard to produce the recommended amount of saliva. To make more saliva, close your mouth and wiggle your tongue or rub your cheeks.
On average, it takes five minutes or less to provide a saliva sample. If your saliva contains a lot of bubbles, make sure they settle above the black fill line in the tube. The saliva should pass the fill line. Finish spitting within 15 minutes and immediately close the container. Do not remove the plastic film from the cap. Ship your sample the same day or the next day, if possible. There is no need to refrigerate it; keep it at room temperature. If it's over 85 degrees, you might consider storing in a cooler place.
40. How long will my sample last if I can't send it that day?
As long as it at room temperature, it should last for several days. Shipping it immediately ensures the best possible outcome. You may send your sample any day of the week that FedEx picks up.
41. I ordered the service, but I'm not feeling well. How long should I wait before I send in the saliva sample?
Wait to collect your sample until you are feeling healthy. While being ill does not affect the makeup of your DNA, it can lessen the amount of DNA available in your saliva.
Ordering and Member Service
42. What are your hours?
You can place an order on the Web site at any time. Member Service is available 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Pacific time, Monday through Friday, and genetic counseling is available by appointment, at your convenience.
43. How do I reach someone who can help me after business hours?
Call (866) 522-1585. You can leave a message in our mailbox, and we'll contact you the next business day. If it is urgent, your call will be routed to a service that can contact a Genetic Counselor. PLEASE CALL YOUR DOCTOR OR 911 IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL OR PSYCHIATRIC EMERGENCY.
44. Can I place my order over the phone?
Not at this time. To ensure the privacy and security of your information, we only take orders via the Web.
45. What are my payment options?
Visa, MasterCard or American Express.
46. Do you accept international orders?
Not at this time.
47. Can I order multiple tests at once?
Yes, you will need to create an individual order for each person, and each of them needs to complete the informed consent process and agree to the Terms and Conditions.
48. What if I order a test and later want to cancel it?
Generally, if we have not shipped your kit, you are entitled to a full refund. If your kit has shipped, you will receive a partial refund. If your saliva sample has already been analyzed, we will not be able to grant any refund, but you can choose not to view your results and delete your account. Call Member Service for more information.
Using our Web site
49. How do I change my e-mail address, username, password, phone number or address?
To change your e-mail address, username or password, please log into our Web site and click on "Manage Profile." To change your phone number or address, please call Member Service at (866) 522-1585.
50. I can't read my report online. What do I do?
This could occur for a number of reasons. It might be a browser or operating system issue. Our site is optimized for Windows Vista or Windows XP running Internet Explorer 7 or Firefox 2.0, and Mac OSX 10.4 running Firefox 2.0. Internet Explorer 6 will also work. Firefox 1.0 will not work. It may be necessary to upgrade your computer's operating system and browser. We offer limited technical support, but you can contact Member Service and we can try to help you resolve the issue.
51. What kind of browser errors might I encounter?
Cookies and JavaScript must be enabled, so if they are not you'll get an error message.
52. Will the site "time out"if I leave to go do something else?
Yes, after 15 minutes of inactivity. You'll have to start over if that happens.
