Genetic Testing for Epilepsy
If you or your child has epilepsy, you’re not alone—and there are ways to learn more about what’s causing it. Often epilepsy can be related to changes in a person’s genes. Genetic testing can help find out if that’s the case.
Knowing whether there’s a genetic reason for seizures can help doctors choose the most effective treatment and give your family clearer answers about what to expect. It can also show whether other relatives might be at risk, helping you plan for the future.
At Genome Medical, our caring telehealth genetic counselors have helped thousands of patients with epilepsy find the answers through genetic counseling and testing. You can meet with a counselor from the comfort of your home—no referral needed, and appointments are usually available within a week.
What is Epilepsy?
Epilepsy is a condition that affects the brain and causes repeated seizures. A seizure happens when there’s a sudden burst of unusual electrical activity in the brain. This can lead to different symptoms—some people may briefly stare or seem confused, while others might have muscle jerks, stiffening, or lose awareness for a short time.
Epilepsy can start at any age and can have many causes, such as genetics, head injuries, infections, or other medical conditions.
Over 70% of epilepsy has a genetic cause. Certain genetic types of epilepsy respond better to specific medications—or may not respond to others. With the right treatment, such as medication, lifestyle adjustments, or sometimes surgery, many people with epilepsy are able to live full, active lives.
Schedule An Appointment
Meet with a board-certified genetic counselor in less than one week. Appointments are delivered via a 30-60 minute phone call.
We are an in-network provider with many commercial health insurance plans. View list. The cost of the genetic counseling session will be up to $250*, depending on if you pay out-of-pocket or choose to bill insurance. We also offer Financial Assistance based on need.
*Pricing subject to change. The cost of genetic counseling does not include the cost of genetic testing.
How Can Genetic Counseling & Testing Help Me?
The American Academy of Pediatrics and National Society of Genetic Counselors recommend genetic counseling and testing for anyone with epilepsy. Finding out whether epilepsy has a genetic cause can make a big difference in understanding and managing the condition.
With this information, you and your care team can:
Choose the most effective treatment from the start, reducing trial and error.
Better understand how epilepsy might change over time or whether other health issues might occur to help with care planning.
Help relatives decide whether to have testing, and provide information for planning the future.
What to Expect
Genetic Counseling
At the time of your appointment, your genetic counselor will call to review your personal and family medical history. If genetic testing is recommended, they’ll explain your options, discuss the benefits and risks, and guide you on next steps. Testing is entirely your choice based on the information you receive.
After your appointment, you’ll receive a written summary and guidance on next steps. You can share this with your healthcare team.
Schedule Now
Genetic Testing
If you choose to proceed with genetic testing, it can often be done using a saliva sample. The collection kit will be mailed to you, and once your sample arrives at the lab, testing will begin.
Most test results are available within 2-4 weeks, though timing may vary based on the specific test ordered.
Get Your Results
If Genome Medical has ordered genetic testing for you, we will notify you as soon as your genetic test results are available. At that time, you will be able to schedule another genetic counseling appointment to discuss your results.
Helping You To Understand
Genetic test results can be complex. A genetic counselor can help you understand what the results mean—and what they don’t—for you and your family. They can explain how the results may guide your healthcare decisions and offer support as you think about the information and share it with your family members.
After your appointment, you’ll receive a written summary and guidance on next steps. You can share this with your healthcare team.
Why Patients Choose Genome Medical
At Genome Medical, we specialize in telehealth genetic services, guiding individuals and families through genetic counseling and testing so they can make informed decisions about their health. Why patients choose us:
- Expert care: We’ve delivered over 250,000 genetic counseling sessions to patients across the U.S
- High satisfaction: 97% of patients would recommend us to others
- Insurance coverage: Our services are in-network with many commercial health plans, and we offer financial assistance
If you’re considering genetic testing for a heart condition, want to understand your family’s health history, or have results and want to understand what they mean for your care and family members, we’re here to help.
What Our Patients Are Saying
The genetic counselor really provided a space for me to understand and ask questions. My medical experience up to this point had been extremely frustrating but this service has been a highlight that really changed things for me.
Genome Medical Patient
What Our Patients Are Saying
I am extremely grateful for the way my genetic counselor ‘held my hand’ and explained everything to me, what the test results meant and knowing what to do next concerning my son. He was my biggest concern.
Genome Medical Patient
What Our Patients Are Saying
Being able to advocate for myself and seek potential genetic diagnoses that will support future treatment is absolutely invaluable to my overall health. Thanks Genome Medical!
Genome Medical Patient
Frequently Asked Questions
- Help you understand how your personal and family medical history may impact your health
- Discuss genetic testing options that may be appropriate for you
- Explain what genetic test results mean for you and your family members
- Address any questions or concerns you have about genetic testing
- Provide recommendations for you and your healthcare provider to make medical decisions that may lower your risk
We are an in-network provider with most commercial health insurance plans. See a list at GenomeMedical.com/insurance-coverage. Coverage and pricing may vary. Please contact your insurance provider for your exact coverage and payment responsibility. Reference insurance CPT codes 96041 and S0265 and our NPI number 1407389695. .
If you use insurance, and we are in-network with your health plan, we will submit a claim on your behalf. You may get a bill for any outstanding balance depending on your coverage. Please note: the cost of genetic counseling does not include the cost of any genetic testing that may be recommended. You may receive a separate bill from the lab for genetic testing.
At this time, we do not accept government-affiliated insurance providers including Medicaid, Medicare and/or Tricare as a primary or secondary insurance (including Managed Medicare and Medicaid plans).
*Pricing subject to change
- Gather your personal and family health history. Talk to family members about any health conditions in the family, as well as the age that relatives were diagnosed.
- If you or a family member have had genetic testing, please upload a copy of the result/s to your Genome Medical patient portal before your appointment. You will get access to the patient portal once you schedule your appointment. This is very important to ensure your genetic counselor can prepare for your appointment.
- Think about questions you may have for your genetic counselor.
You will receive a phone call from your genetic counselor at the time of your scheduled appointment. Appointments are typically 30-60 minutes.
During the appointment, your genetic counselor will review your personal and family medical history, assess your risk for inherited genetic conditions, and may discuss the benefits and limitations of genetic testing. Your genetic counselor will also address your concerns or questions about genetic testing. If genetic testing is performed, your genetic counselor can explain what your results mean for you and your family.
Genetic testing involves looking at blood, saliva or other tissues to find changes in an individual's genes. These genetic changes may cause an increased chance of certain medical conditions.
Genetic testing is typically done at a specialized laboratory.
Genome Medical does not perform genetic testing. As a medical practice, Genome Medical’s providers can order genetic testing, when medically appropriate, for U.S.- based patients.
Genetic testing is useful in many areas of medicine and may change the medical care you or your family members receive. For example, genetic testing may help to diagnose a medical condition. Genetic test results may help you and your care providers make more informed decisions on how to prevent or treat a medical condition.
There are thousands of genetic tests available today. A genetic counselor can help you to understand what testing may be most appropriate for you. Genetic counselors can also help to explain what genetic test results may mean for you and your family.
In most cases, genetic testing can be performed on a blood or saliva sample.
If testing is done on a saliva sample, a collection kit can be sent to you in the mail and you can collect the sample from the convenience of your home. If a blood sample is needed, you may be directed to a location near you that can perform blood draws to have a sample collected. In either case, the sample then is mailed to the lab for the testing to be completed.
