GeneSight® Pharmacogenomic Testing

The GeneSight® test analyzes your unique DNA to help our psychiatric providers understand how your body may metabolize or respond to certain mental health medications. While it does not provide a “magic pill” or tell us exactly which single medication will cure you, it gives us a vital biological roadmap. This helps us avoid prescribing medications that may cause severe side effects or be ineffective for your specific genetic makeup.

Not necessarily. Even closely related family members have completely unique genetic profiles. A medication that successfully treated your sibling’s anxiety or parent’s depression might be metabolized entirely differently by your body. The GeneSight® test removes this guesswork by looking at your distinct genetic code rather than relying on family history alone.

No. Your genetic code does not change based on the medications you are currently taking. Taking your prescribed medications at the time of your cheek swab will not alter or invalidate your GeneSight® results in any way. Please continue your current treatment plan until you and your KMHM provider review your results together.

Because a person’s genetic code is established at birth and does not change over time, the GeneSight® test is accurate at any age. For our adolescent patients struggling with severe anxiety, depression, or ADHD, genetic testing can be an invaluable tool to help find the right supportive medication early on and avoid a frustrating season of trial and error.

Your privacy and data security are paramount. GeneSight® complies with strict HIPAA regulations and the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA). Once the laboratory analyzes your sample, all personal identifiers are protected, and the physical sample is safely disposed of after 60 days. Your genetic insights are used solely by your KMHM provider to tailor your medical treatment.

The test is conducted using a simple, completely painless cheek swab. We can quickly and comfortably perform this swab for you right here in our office during your appointment.

Many commercial and government insurance plans do provide coverage for the GeneSight® test. We understand that navigating healthcare benefits can feel overwhelming, which is why our dedicated administrative team is here to support you. If you have questions about your specific insurance plan, please reach out to our office, and we will gladly help verify your coverage before you move forward with testing.