Appointments with Cook Genetics are conducted via telehealth and will be focused on Hereditary Cancer Predispositions.
Current pricing is effective 1/1/2024 and is reviewed quarterly.
Appointment Types and Pricing
Click the down arrow next to each appointment type to learn more about each visit.
Appointments are conducted via telehealth via our HIPAA-compliant video platform. In-person appointments are available for extenuating circumstances only and will take place in a private room in downtown Effingham.
Our appointment costs are comparable to what insurance would reimburse for the same amount of time and service face-to-face, plus our extensive research time for your case behind the scenes. Please see the Billing and Logistics page for more information.
This combo appointment is for patients who have not had hereditary cancer genetic testing before. It can also be used for patients who had normal hereditary cancer genetic testing years ago, and they now want updated testing. The flat fee covers both appointments.
Hereditary cancer genetic testing is for individuals who have a personal and/or family history of cancer that meets certain "red flags," and they want to be more proactive with their cancer screenings. The red flags include cancers diagnosed at young ages (<50y), rare cancers, one person with more than one primary cancer, a generational pattern of related cancers, or Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry.
During the first visit (~90 min), we:
Take a comprehensive personal health history
Build your family history of cancer into a pedigree (family tree)
Educate you on the basics of genetics
Discuss pros and cons of genetic testing, as well as associated testing costs
Determine which genetic testing is appropriate, based on your personal and/or family history, and order that testing for you
During the second visit ~3 weeks later (30-45 min), we:
Disclose your genetic testing results to you
Discuss which cancer risks, if any, are associated with your results, as well as how high those risks go
Make recommendations for future cancer screenings and management, based on your results and personal/family history
Run any necessary risk assessment models
Provide information on how to get family members tested, if indicated
This appointment is for patients who have had cancer genetic testing ordered by another provider (i.e. doctor, nurse practitioner, physician assistant, etc.) and would like to have a deeper discussion of results. You MUST obtain a copy of your previous genetic testing results in order to book this appointment.
Hereditary cancer genetic testing is for individuals who have a personal and/or family history of cancer that meets certain "red flags," and they want to be more proactive with their cancer screenings. The red flags include cancers diagnosed at young ages (<50y), rare cancers, one person with more than one primary cancer, a generational pattern of related cancers, or Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry.
A Hereditary Cancer Post-Test Genetic Counseling appointment is right for you if you would like to have a more thorough discussion of your genetic testing results, or if your doctor would like to receive expert recommendations from a Genetic Counselor on how to take care of you moving forward.
During this visit (~90 min), we:
Take a comprehensive personal health history
Build your family history of cancer into a pedigree (family tree)
Educate you on the basics of genetics
Discuss which cancer risks, if any, are associated with your results, as well as how high those risks go
Make recommendations for future cancer screenings and management, based on your results and personal/family history
Run any necessary risk assessment models
Provide information on how to get family members tested, if indicated
If we determine that additional genetic testing is indicated, and if you decide to proceed, we will:
Discuss pros and cons of additional genetic testing, as well as associated testing costs
Order that additional testing for you
Schedule you for a Hereditary Cancer - Add-On Visit (30-45 min) in ~3 weeks (additional $150 add-on fee)
This combo appointment is for a minor (child) patient whose parent has a known mutation causing a genetic condition that can have childhood-onset symptoms (i.e. childhood-onset cancers), or a minor whose parents are both known to be carriers of the same genetic condition (i.e. recessive hereditary cancer conditions). The parent/parents must have been tested at Cook Genetics. The flat fee covers both appointments for the minor.
During the first visit (~30 min), we:
Take a comprehensive personal health history of the minor
Build the minor's family health history into a pedigree (family tree)
Provide education on the basics of genetics
Discuss pros and cons of genetic testing, as well as associated testing costs
Determine which genetic testing is appropriate, based on the minor's personal and/or family history, and order that testing for them
During the second visit ~3 weeks later (~30 min), we:
Disclose the minor's genetic testing results to you
Explain the risks of the condition and the associated management recommendations, if applicable
Discuss the risks for any of your other/future children to also have this condition
Provide information on how to get family members tested, if indicated
Other New Patient appointment types (pre-test or post-test) may be accepted at the Genetic Counselor's discretion for $450. Please call or email us to discuss further.
Only available for ESTABLISHED patients. This appointment is for patients who had a Hereditary Cancer Post-Test Counseling Visit and then had additional genetic testing ordered at Cook Genetics. It can also be used for patients who have more questions about the hereditary cancer genetic testing results previously discussed at Cook Genetics.
During this visit (30-45 min), we:
Disclose your additional genetic testing results to you, if applicable
Discuss which cancer risks, if any, are associated with your results, as well as how high those risks go
Make recommendations for future cancer screenings and management, based on your results and personal/family history
Run any necessary risk assessment models
Provide information on how to get family members tested, if indicated
Answer any further questions and provide further clarification, if needed
Only available for ESTABLISHED patients. This appointment is for minor (child) patients/minor patient's parents who have more questions about the KFM results previously discussed at Cook Genetics.
During this visit (30-45 min), we:
Explain the risks of the condition and the associated management recommendations, if applicable
Discuss the risks for any of your other/future children to also have this condition
Provide information on how to get family members tested, if indicated
Answer any further questions and provide further clarification, if needed
Prior to Your Appointment
We will email you a link to CancerGene Connect. This is an online questionnaire that will help us assess you and your family's risk of cancer. (This will not be sent to those having Preconception Carrier Screening.) Please fill out and submit the CancerGene Connect questionnaire at least one day prior to your appointment.
Helpful information to gather for CancerGene Connect and bring with you to your appointment:
A copy of your previous genetic testing results.
If you have had cancer/tumors/polyps, a copy of each pathology report.
A family history list of first-, second-, and third-degree relatives. This includes family members' ages or ages at death, who has had cancer/tumors and the types, and the ages at each diagnosis. If you do not know exact ages, approximate ages (i.e. 30s, 50s, 80s) are fine.
If any relatives have had genetic testing, a copy of their results. If you cannot get a copy, try to get as much information about their testing as possible (i.e. date tested, lab name, number of genes tested, which gene is positive/variant, mutation codes, etc.).
A copy of your insurance card, just in case.
***DISCLAIMER: Genetic Counselors do not practice medicine. It is up to you, the patient, to speak with your physician(s) to implement the screening/management recommendations made during your genetic counseling session(s). You will be provided with copies of your genetic testing results, genetic counseling notes, and family tree so that you can show them to your physician(s) for your future care.