What Determines the Price of a Genetic Test?

Genetic test prices vary widely. The difference often comes not only from the brand but from what the test examines, which method it uses and what you receive along with the result. In this article, you will find the main factors that determine price and the questions to ask when comparing packages. Current prices are listed on the all packages page.

1. Scope: how many topics, which areas?

The factor that affects price the most is the number and variety of topics interpreted in the report. The laboratory analysis may be similar in most packages. The difference mostly comes from the scientific assessment, reporting and interpretation of each topic.

• Focused packages look for an answer to a single question. Examples: Sports & Fitness Genetics, Skin Health Genetics, Ancestry Analysis.
• Combination packages bring two or three areas together in one report. Examples: Sports & Health, Health & Skin, Sports & Skin, Sports, Skin & Health.
• The most comprehensive packages include additional sections. GEN's UP and, for children, KID's UP also cover selected cancer predisposition and drug response variants. These sections are not clinical screening or diagnostic tests.

More topics do not always mean better. If the question you want answered relates to a single area, a focused package may give you a clearer report.

2. Method: microarray or sequencing?

A microarray (SNP chip) reads preselected variant positions and provides very high accuracy for common variants. Whole genome sequencing reads most of the genome. Because it produces more data and requires more analysis, it is generally more expensive. Which method is needed depends on the question: microarray is suitable for tendencies associated with common variants. Very rare variants, however, cannot be read reliably on a chip and require clinical confirmation. Hub Genetik tests use the microarray method. Details are on the Science & Safety page.

3. Report and interpretation: what is delivered?

A raw list of results and a report that includes a plain explanation, an actionable recommendation and the level of evidence for each finding are not the same service. When comparing, check the following:

• Is a level of evidence given for each finding?
• Does it clearly state what the finding does not show?
• Can you review a sample report?

You can see the structure of the Hub Genetik report on the sample report page.

4. Consultation and support

In some packages, the report is delivered on its own. Others also include a session in which the results are discussed with an expert, or a technical summary you can pass on to your physician. In Hub Genetik packages, this scope is divided as follows:

• Digital report: Ancestry Analysis
• Digital report and expert commentary: Sports & Fitness Genetics, Skin Health Genetics, Sports & Skin Analysis Package
• Digital report and consultation session: Genetic Health Map, Sports & Health, Health & Skin, Sports, Skin & Health
• Digital report, consultation session and technical summary for your physician: GEN's UP
• Kids’ packages: Digital report and parent consultation session. KID's UP additionally includes a technical summary for your physician.

5. Process and logistics

Sending the kit to your address, getting the sample to the laboratory and data security are also part of the service. At Hub Genetik, the sample is collected at home with a cheek swab, and the report is prepared within 18–21 business days after the sample reaches the laboratory. Shipping, return and data deletion terms are explained on the frequently asked questions page.

Questions to ask when comparing

1. Does this package answer my question, or does it cover more than I need?
2. Which topics are included, and which are not?
3. Which method is used, and are the limits of the results clearly stated?
4. Will I be able to talk to an expert after the report?
5. If a health-related finding comes up, how do confirmation and referral to a physician work?

To see the packages side by side against these questions, you can use the comparison page. If you are not sure which package fits your question, the short guided quiz suggests 1–3 options. To see adult and kids’ packages separately, visit the adult collection and the kids’ collection.

References

1. Weedon MN, Jackson L, Harrison JW, et al. Use of SNP chips to detect rare pathogenic variants: retrospective, population based diagnostic evaluation. BMJ. 2021;372:n214. PMID: 33589468. doi:10.1136/bmj.n214