Frequently Asked Questions
- What happens during a Genetics clinic visit or counseling session?
- Can I bring my other family members or children with me to the visit?
- Does my insurance cover Genetics services?
- How long is a Genetics clinic visit?
- Can I just contact the doctor by phone or email?
- What will I be asked when I call for an appointment?
- Are there any forms I need to fill out?
- How quickly can I get an appointment?
- What records should my doctor send?
- Why do the records need to be sent before my visit?
- What lab tests or X-rays will be done by the doctor?
- How long does it take to get test results back?
- How will I be told about test results?
- Should I be worried about genetic testing and privacy?
- How often can a final diagnosis be made?
- Why should we come back for another appointment?
What happens during a Genetics clinic visit or counseling session?
A Genetics clinic visit is not much different from any other doctor visit. We start with discussing the patient’s history, and then Dr. Scheuerle will do a physical exam. After the history and physical exam, we will talk about the possible diagnosis, testing to be done and possibly seeing some other specialists or getting more of the patient’s records.
If there is a diagnosis made, we will talk about
- The possible cause(s) of the problem
- The genetics behind it
- What to expect in the future
- What your chance may be of having another affected child
If the visit is for counseling before or during a pregnancy, a physical exam usually is not done; however, it depends upon the reason for your visit.
Can I bring my other family members or children with me to the visit?
It can be helpful to have other family members available because family history is an important part of a genetics evaluation. Other family members may remember things that you do not. Other family members who share features with the patient may also be affected.
Do not bring children other than the patient to the visit. If you bring other children, please also bring someone who can watch them in another room. If children are disruptive to the visit, or are left unsupervised, you will be asked to reschedule your visit.
Does my insurance cover Genetics services?
Tesserae Genetics accepts most major insurances, Texas Medicaid and Oklahoma Medicaid. BUT insurance coverage varies. Our contract with an insurance company is different from your contract with an insurance company.
To find out whether Genetic services are covered for you, please contact your insurance company. Our office can help you with this.
How long is a Genetics clinic visit?
The Genetics clinic visit is longer than you are used to: office visits usually last an hour, sometimes more. Also, Geneticists see the patient as part of the larger family, so information about the family is important. Since the visit is long and a lot of time is spent talking, it is important for you to make plans for your children. Bring adequate diapers and formula for babies. Bring someone with you to supervise your child if he or she is likely to act out.
It is very hard to fit you in if you are late. If you are more than 20 minutes late for the appointment, you may be asked to reschedule.
Can I just contact the doctor by phone or email?
Genetics is a very complex topic that requires review of a medical history, physical exam and a conversation. Each family’s case is unique and it is not possible to provide you with good care only by phone or email.
If the problem is that you live far away, or you have other transportation problems, we are happy to try and find someone closer to home who might help you. We are always happy to coordinate our appointment with other trips you may have to Dallas or to Medical City.
What will I be asked when I call for an appointment?
When you call to make the appointment, you will be asked for the following information:
- Patient’s name and date of birth
- A contact phone number
- The contact person’s name
- The name of the referring physician if there is one
- Your insurance information
Are there any forms I need to fill out?
There is a set of forms that you must fill out and return before the appointment is made. These forms can be faxed to you, or they may be downloaded from the "New Patients" page.
How quickly can I get an appointment?
Usually you can get an appointment within 4-6 weeks. Appointments are booked after we get your paperwork and records.
THE FASTER WE GET YOUR PAPERWORK AND MEDICAL RECORDS, THE SOONER YOU WILL HAVE AN APPOINTMENT.
“Emergency” appointments are available under certain circumstances:
- Babies with an abnormal newborn screening test
- Pregnant women with an abnormal prenatal test or concern about the pregnancy
- After phone consultation with your physician.
What records should my doctor send?
The short answer is “send everything”. We do not need records from routine office visits or immunizations, but almost everything else is likely to be important. Of particular importance:
- Abnormal prenatal testing
- Birth records – especially if the newborn had to stay in the hospital
- Growth charts
- All records from all specialists that you or your child have seen
- All records from hospitalizations and surgeries
- All radiology studies – Xrays, MRIs, CT scans, ultrasounds
The reports are often sufficient, but having the films themselves can be helpful - All previous genetic testing and other specialized testing
- Autopsy report of the affected person if applicable
Please know that any hospital or doctor is only required to send their records – it is not really appropriate for a doctor to forward records that were sent to him or her by someone else. If you or your child have been seen by multiple physicians, you may need to solicit records from each of those doctors.
Why do the records need to be sent before my visit?
It is VERY important that we receive copies of these records BEFORE your appointment.
- Having a chance to review the records before your visit means that your visit time will be used more efficiently.
- Sometimes clarification of a surgery or test is needed. Having the records early means that Dr. Scheuerle has a chance to talk to the doctor or the laboratory about your results.
- Some insurance will only pay for genetic testing once in a lifetime. If a test has already been done, but we do not have the records, we may need to repeat the test at your expense.
What lab tests or Xrays will be done by the doctor?
We cannot tell you what tests may be done until the patient is evaluated. Tesserae Genetics does not do lab tests or Xrays in the office. If the patient needs testing, we will arrange for blood or urine collection or other procedures. Blood and urine collection can usually be done the day of your visit. Xrays, CT scans, MRI scans and other procedures usually have to be scheduled.
How long does it take to get test results back?
It varies depending upon the test sent. The times listed below are estimates quoted by the most commonly used labs.
- Regular metabolic testing usually is back within a week.
- Specialized biochemical testing takes 10 days to 3 weeks.
- Chromosome analysis takes 2-3 weeks.
- FISH testing takes 1-2 weeks for common studies, longer for more extensive testing.
- Targeted DNA mutation testing takes 2-3 weeks.
- Gene sequencing takes 6-8 weeks
How will I be told about test results?
We will call you with the test results. We call out both normal and abnormal results – so you will hear from us either way. If we are unable to reach you by phone, we will send you a letter asking you to call us.
Should I be worried about genetic testing and privacy?
We understand that some people have concerns about genetic testing. Your concerns are important and certainly are part of the decision to do testing. If you have concerns about testing – cost, insurance, privacy, or other – please tell the doctor at the visit.
How often can a final diagnosis be made?
Even under the best of circumstances, a specific genetic diagnosis can be made only about half the time.
Why should we come back for another appointment?
Making diagnosis may take more than one clinic visit. Children change as they grow. Sometimes a condition becomes more obvious with age. Sometimes a series of tests is needed.
If a test result comes back abnormal, you will be asked to come back immediately to discuss the result.
If you or your child already has a diagnosis, you may be asked to come back once a year to touch base. Knowledge about genetic conditions changes all the time. It is not possible for us to send information out to all patients as it becomes available. Returning for another clinic visits gives us the chance to share information with you. It also lets us help you make sure you are getting all the services that would benefit you.