AccessDNA and Informed Medical Decisions team up to provide telephone-based genetic counseling services

Jan 19 2010

AccessDNA, Inc., the leading online consumer resource for genetic-related information, services, and support, today announced it has partnered with Informed Medical Decisions, Inc., the only nationwide-network of independent genetic counselors, to provide telephone-based genetic counseling services to AccessDNA’s fast-growing base of online users.

“We strongly support AccessDNA’s mission to make genetics more accessible to the average consumer, and we are excited to offer our phone-based genetic counseling services to an even larger audience”

Given the vital role genetics play in the proper diagnosis, prediction and treatment of disease, AccessDNA’s mission is to expand consumer access to appropriate information and services. In furtherance of this goal, AccessDNA has now added direct access to genetic counseling services to its already comprehensive website (www.AccessDNA.com) helping to fill the void created by the significant shortage of trained genetic health professionals in the U.S. and limited physician education in genetics.

“Genetic counseling is so important for someone with a personal or family history of an inherited disease or planning a pregnancy, and I am thrilled our users now have access to these important services, no matter where they are located,” said Lee Essner, founder and CEO of the company. “Informed Medical Decisions has also partnered with many of the nation’s top health insurers to help make these important services more affordable,” said Essner.

The recently launched telephone-based counseling feature enables AccessDNA’s users to conveniently access a nationwide network of board-certified genetic counselors from the comfort of their own home. Counselors will address many areas of concern, such as prenatal, adult and cancer genetics. Specific services include personalized family history risk analyses, detailed discussion regarding the benefits and limitations of appropriate genetic testing options, and test coordination and interpretation in the areas of medical genetics, ancestry, and paternity.

“We strongly support AccessDNA’s mission to make genetics more accessible to the average consumer, and we are excited to offer our phone-based genetic counseling services to an even larger audience,” said David Nixon, CEO of Informed Medical Decisions, Inc.