Medical Genetics and Genomics

Telegenetics

Woman on computer

To expand access to genetics expertise to patients and providers throughout our network, the Division of Medical Genetics and Genomics offers genetic counseling services to patients via a convenient secure video conference. Our genetic counselors order genetic testing, interpret test results, and provide genetic counseling and patient education in real time. We are licensed in New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, and in the coming months will be licensed in several other states, so our team can provide care to your patients wherever they are.

Indications for Telegenetics

Our patients with high indicators for telegenetics include:

Reproductive

  • High-risk carrier screening for couples
  • Abnormal ultrasound test findings 
  • Late gestational age
  • Partner carrier screening
  • Expanded carrier screening panels and panel updates for patient (and partner)
  • Teratogen counseling
  • Advanced maternal age
  • Family history of congenital anomalies, genetic disease, etc.
  • IVF with preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD), PGS, etc.
  • Egg/sperm donor screening

Cancer

  • Ovarian cancer
  • Pancreatic cancer
  • Metastatic prostate cancer
  • Medullary thyroid cancer
  • Pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma

Visit Options

In-Office Telegenetics Hub
Patients can visit a telegenetics hub located in their referring provider’s office. Patients can log on to MyChart through their iPhone or a telegenetics iPad. Within minutes, patients will connect to a genetic counselor to begin their visit.

Anytime Telegenetics Access
The referring physician can submit a telegenetics eConsult and a team member from the Division of Medical Genetics will contact the patient to schedule a telegenetics visit. We can also develop a resource-scheduling template allowing practices to schedule the visit for their patients directly. The visit can be conducted from the comfort of the patient’s own home or whatever space they choose in New York, New Jersey, or Pennsylvania.

For more information on telegenetics services for your patients, contact Cassie Mintz, MD, at cassie.mintz@mssm.edu.