gCARE Program Benefits

Our gCARE Program offers managed care organizations, their physicians and members a suite of services, including the following:

• Interactive Clinical Information System^TM More >
• Laboratory-Based Consultations More >
• Oncology Services More >
• Reproductive Genetic Services More >
• Accredited Educational Programs More >
• Managed Care Information Line More >

Interactive Clinical Information System^TM

Our ongoing commitment to evidence-based applications of genetic knowledge is exemplified by our Interactive Clinical Information System (ICIS). Using ICIS, all of the genetic counselors in our nationwide network follow established standards of care. Proprietary to Genzyme Genetics, the ICIS system is the only clinical management tool of its kind in the United States.

Laboratory-Based Consultations

With over 50 laboratory-based M.D. and Ph.D. geneticists and genetic counselors readily available to network physicians, convenient answers for pre- and post-test questions are assured. Our staff experts contact referring physicians to clarify and discuss testing requests and results, including those situations where a requested test does not match the clinical indications.

Oncology Services

Genzyme Genetics offers a broad menu of testing options and has extensive experience in oncology testing. Our integrated technology approach to oncology testing consolidates results from immunohistochemistry (IHC), flow cytometry, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), molecular genetics and cytogenetics to make the most complete diagnosis the first time.

The following are just a few examples of how we go above and beyond what you might expect from a diagnostic testing laboratory.

• We were the first national laboratory to offer BCR-ABL Quantitative RT-PCR testing (Q-PCR). This highly sensitive test is used for monitoring relapse and response to therapy in patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia and acute lymphocytic leukemia. The increased sensitivity of this test allows for the use of peripheral blood specimens, eliminating the need for invasive bone marrow aspiration procedures. In addition to the clinical benefits of this test, Q-PCR is more cost-effective than bone marrow chromosome analysis.
• MCOs gain the benefits of our tumor experience without incurring the additional expense of referencing work to academic or teaching institutions. We offer unparalleled expertise in IHC by leveraging the extensive experience of our 23 board certified staff pathologists, including 13 hematopathologists, trained in a full range of specialized pathology and cytogenetics. It is this expertise that enables Genzyme Genetics to utilize IHC to identify fully 70% of tumors sent for analysis. IHC is particularly useful for tumors of unknown origin (undifferentiated tumors).
• With over 260 antibodies, Genzyme Genetics has the largest antibody library of any competing laboratory. By providing physicians with such an expansive antibody library, we can diagnose less prevalent cancers and eliminate “trial and error” care management. We also have the largest number of molecular genetic tests available among any commercial laboratory.
• Genzyme Genetics offers the most comprehensive program for the analysis of colorectal cancer, providing strong prognostic and therapeutic information for patient care.
• We provide predictive and prognostic analysis for over 20% of all newly diagnosed breast cancer cases. In addition, HER-2 tests performed by Genzyme Genetics are reported as positive 5-10% less often than the national average. The impact of our leadership can be seen in a reduced rate of “false-positive” over-expression cases, leading to more cost-effective care the first time.

Reproductive Genetic Services

We offer a broad and clinically effective menu of genetic tests, including an expanded mutation panel for cystic fibrosis carrier screening that detects more carriers in the general population than the standard 23-mutation panel; an extensive maternal serum screening program that increases the accessibility of maternal serum screening options for physicians and patients across the country; and the most comprehensive menu of tests available for carrier screening of patients of Ashkenazi Jewish descent. In addition, we offer a number of other genetic testing services, including the following:

• Genzyme Genetics has one of the largest FISH probe libraries in the world. Our extensive library includes commercial and proprietary probes developed by Genzyme Genetics for regions applicable to all 46 chromosomes. This unique capability provides physicians with more informative results and the highest possible accuracy in cytogenetic analysis.
• We provide high quality cytogenetic services for prenatal, neonatal, pediatric and adult diagnosis of chromosome abnormalities. Our team of board certified geneticists and genetic counselors has in-depth knowledge of cytogenetics and has extensive experience with difficult and unusual cases. Our quality and expertise in this area enables us to attain greater than 99% culture success rates for amniocentesis, CVS and blood samples.
• Genzyme Genetics is also the largest employer of board certified genetic counselors in the United States. Each year our counselors conduct over 40,000 genetic counseling sessions at more than 200 physician office and hospital locations.

Accredited Educational Programs

Medical and pharmacy directors, clinicians and policymakers are encouraged to partner with us to integrate genetics into a health plan strategy for your members and network physicians through gCARE. To this end, we offer a CME/CEU/CCM accredited educational program, Preparing for the Age of Genetic Medicine^TM, specifically designed for health plans working to address the challenges and opportunities of genetic medicine. This educational program is augmented by meetings with scientific staff from Genzyme Genetics who advise on emerging trends in genetics, as well as the distribution of the gCARE quarterly newsletter.

Managed Care Information Line

For assistance or additional information, please call our Managed Care Information Line at (888) 202-1675. By calling our information line, you can receive:

• Information on referral authorization requirements by plan
• Information on covered genetic services by plan, subject to the member’s benefit package
• Genzyme Genetics provider ID number by plan
• Other relevant contract information