Last month, NSGC announced that H.R. 3876, the “Access to Genetic Counselor Services Act” was introduced in the House of Representatives by Representatives Adrian Smith and Brian Higgins! This important legislation will give Medicare beneficiaries improved access to genetic counselors by recognizing us as service providers and enabling reimbursement. So, what exactly does this mean and why might it ring a bell? Let’s review!

Why does this sound so familiar? NSGC first introduced this bill in late 2018. Since then, the bill has gained a significant amount of bipartisan support. However, with each new Congress, the bill has to be re-introduced, which is where we are right now.

What’s in the bill? Medicare actually covers the service of genetic counseling, but not when it's provided by genetic counselors. While it may seem obvious that we’re the most qualified people to provide genetic counseling, without this bill we cannot bill Medicare independently. The only way to change a federal program like Medicare is to pass a federal law. This is what other non-physician providers (e.g. physical therapists) have done and now it is our turn!

Why is it important? Despite insuring millions, those with Medicare face hurdles in accessing genetic counselors because many healthcare organizations can’t afford to hire us without reimbursement from Medicare.There is ample evidence to show the benefits of our services to patients, and we reduce costs by ordering appropriate genetic testing and charging less than physicians for the same service. More importantly, without Medicare reimbursement there are currently not enough genetic counselors in areas with high populations of Medicare patients, particularly those who already face barriers and are underserved (click here to read more). Therefore, this bill is a win for patients and a win for Medicare.

Furthermore, the sustainability of our profession is dependent on proper reimbursement. Our ability to advocate for our patients relies on our full integration into the healthcare system. There are many issues facing our patients today and we need to have a voice so we can advocate for all patients.

What is the current status of the bill? Each Congressional session lasts two years. Since our bill will have to pass the House and Senate, we have two identical companion bills that can move through the legislative process simultaneously. H.R. 3876, the “Access to Genetic Counselor Services Act” was introduced in the House in June and the Senate bill will be introduced shortly.

What can you do to support the bill? We need ALL genetic counselors to contact their members of Congress through letters and meetings. Your voice matters whether you are in direct patient care or not, whether you see patients with Medicare or not, or whether you are an NSGC member or not. Speaking about the bill’s importance increases awareness about our profession on Capitol Hill and ensures that we are recognized as essential stakeholders in healthcare and our communities. We cannot pass the bill without everyone’s help. If each sign up for one meeting, it will make a big collective impact.

ACTIONS REQUESTED:

1. Take one minute and CLICK HERE or scan the QR code to sign up for a virtual meeting with your members of Congress. NSGC will provide guidance, support and coordination for these short meetings (see below).

1. Take one minute and CLICK HERE to send a letter to your Representative.

In addition to signing up for a meeting, this is another way to contact your member of Congress. The letter is auto-generated and will be automatically sent to the correct office on your behalf.

What is a Virtual Hill meeting and what can I expect?

Meeting with your members of Congress is easy and hugely impactful! Not sure what to expect? You’re not alone (click here to read about Deepti Babu’s experience on the Hill). Many people have never done something like this, but it's so important to have your voice heard. Here is what you need to know:

• When you have a virtual meeting with your Congressperson’s office, you usually will be meeting with a staff member, not the Congressperson themselves. These meetings are typically less than 30 minutes.
• When you sign up for a meeting, NSGC staff will reach out to find your availability. They will also send you helpful resources to help you prepare for the meeting.
• On the day of the meeting, a member of the NSGC Government Relations team will join you. This person will answer any technical questions about the bill. All you need to do is introduce yourself and be prepared to answer general questions about being a genetic counselor and why this bill matters so much to our patients.
• After the call, we will provide you with a thank you letter template so that you can follow up and thank the congressional staffer for their time. That’s it!

If I have a question about the federal bill advocacy efforts, who should I contact? If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at advocacy@nsgc.org for additional information. Passing a bill like this is a long distance obstacle course with many moving pieces and has been years in the making. We need everyone’s support to get this bill over the finish line!

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