Genetic testing, explained
Find the right
genetic test.
Plain-English research on pharmacogenomic (PGx) and hereditary cancer (CGx) testing, cardiac genetics, carrier and prenatal screening, and consumer DNA vs. clinical tests — plus a path to genetic testing providers and genetic counselors near you.
I’m looking for a genetic testing provider
I'm researching genetic testing
Answer a few quick questions — what you need, what’s in the way, how you like to meet. We match you with genetic testing providers who fit.
Find a genetic testing providerI’m a genetic testing provider
I'm a genetic testing provider or clinician
A verified profile, patients matched to your specialties, programs and events, and your own back office and CRM.
Get exclusive referralsHow matching works
Start with what you need — we’ll find the genetic testing provider.
01
Tell us what you need
What you’re looking for, what’s in the way, and how you like to meet — in-office sample collection, at-home mail-in kit and virtual consultation.
02
We match on fit
Specialties, the people they work with, credentials and format. This is a directory and matching service — not medical advice.
03
You choose who to hear from
See why each genetic testing provider fits. Pick who may contact you — nothing is shared without your say-so.
5 areas of focus
Pharmacogenomics (PGx), Hereditary cancer & cardiac genetics (CGx), Carrier & prenatal screening, Consumer DNA & interpretation and Genetic counseling & coverage guidance.
Pharmacogenomics (PGx)
Pharmacogenomics (PGx) testing.
1 kinds →
Hereditary cancer & cardiac genetics (CGx)
Hereditary cancer genetic testing (CGx) and Cardiac & cardiovascular genetics.
2 kinds →
Carrier & prenatal screening
Carrier screening and Prenatal genetic screening & diagnosis.
2 kinds →
Consumer DNA & interpretation
Consumer DNA vs. clinical genetic testing.
1 kinds →
Genetic counseling & coverage guidance
Genetic counseling and Medicare & insurance coverage for genetic testing.
2 kinds →
Explore
What do you want to work on?
Pharmacogenomics (PGx)
How PGx testing shows the way your body may process specific medications.
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Hereditary cancer genetics (CGx)
BRCA, Lynch syndrome and multi-gene panels for families with a cancer history.
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Cardiac & cardiovascular genetics
Inherited cholesterol, cardiomyopathy and arrhythmia conditions that run in families.
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Carrier & prenatal screening
Testing before and during pregnancy — carrier screening, NIPT and diagnostic options.
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Consumer DNA vs. clinical testing
Why ancestry and wellness DNA kits are not the same as clinician-ordered testing.
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Genetic counseling
What a genetic counselor does before testing and after your results come back.
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Medicare coverage & genetic testing scams
What Medicare actually covers, and the scam tactics to recognize and avoid.
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Choosing a genetic testing provider
Finding a lab or clinician and the questions worth asking before you test.
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Who we help
Wherever you’re starting from.
People whose medications aren't working as expected
pharmacogenomic (PGx) testing and a provider who can order it
People with a family history of cancer
hereditary cancer (CGx) genetic testing and genetic counseling
People with a family history of heart disease
cardiac genetic testing and a provider who can order it
People planning a pregnancy
carrier screening and genetic counseling before conceiving
People currently pregnant
prenatal genetic screening and a clear next step after results
People who already took a consumer DNA test
to understand their results and whether clinical-grade testing makes sense
Medicare beneficiaries researching genetic testing
to know what's covered and how to avoid genetic testing scams
Adoptees & people with unknown family medical history
a baseline look at hereditary cancer, cardiac, and carrier risk
Honest listings
Genetic testing providers, clearly labeled.
- Credentials shown plainly. Licenses, certifications and trainings are listed as each genetic testing provider provides them and checked where possible.
- You stay in control. Nothing you share goes to a genetic testing provider until you choose who may contact you.
- No tracking for ads. We don’t sell your information or use advertising trackers.
- No miracle promises. This site is educational and is not medical advice. Genetic testing providers may not promise outcomes or cures.
For genetic testing providers
Your practice, with a back office.
A verified profile, patients matched to your specialties, programs and events, and a CRM to follow up.
Matched requests
People choose you — you have 48 hours to reach out.
Your own CRM
Every request, stage, note and follow-up in one place.
Programs & events
Sessions, group programs, workshops and courses.
Credential badge
Licenses, certifications and trainings shown clearly.
Directory listing
Free
3 specialties · Be found in the directory
ZIP Exclusive
$1,500/mo
8 specialties · Every referral in your ZIP code — exclusively yours
State Exclusive
$4,500/mo
8 specialties · Every referral in your state — exclusively yours
Nationwide Sponsorship
$32,500/mo
8 specialties · Sponsor the entire platform — every unclaimed referral nationwide
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Questions
Frequently asked questions
Is Hometown Genetics a genetic testing lab?
No. Hometown Genetics is an educational website and directory. We explain pharmacogenomic (PGx), hereditary cancer (CGx), cardiac, and reproductive genetic testing in plain English and connect you with independent genetic testing providers — we don't run tests or give medical advice ourselves.
Does Medicare cover genetic testing?
Sometimes — Medicare covers genetic testing only when it's medically necessary for your diagnosis or treatment and ordered by your own treating clinician; it does not pay for testing offered unsolicited at a health fair, over the phone, or through a 'free' cheek swab. Confirm coverage with Medicare and your provider's office before testing.
I was offered a free genetic test at an event or over the phone — is that a scam?
Be very cautious. Widespread Medicare genetic-testing scams use unsolicited offers, 'free' cheek swabs at events, health fairs, or phone calls to bill Medicare fraudulently and can even complicate your own future coverage — legitimate genetic testing is ordered by your own treating clinician, not a stranger with a swab kit.
What's the difference between PGx and CGx testing?
PGx (pharmacogenomic) testing looks at how your body is likely to process specific medications, while CGx (hereditary cancer genetic) testing looks at inherited gene variants that raise cancer risk — they answer very different questions and are ordered for different reasons.
Do I need a doctor's order to get genetic testing?
For most clinical genetic testing, yes — a treating clinician typically needs to order the test so results are interpreted in the context of your health and family history; some consumer DNA kits can be purchased directly, but they are not a substitute for clinician-ordered clinical testing.
Are consumer DNA kits like ancestry or wellness tests the same as clinical genetic testing?
No. Consumer DNA kits are generally not regulated or validated the same way as clinical genetic tests and shouldn't be used alone to make medical decisions — a concerning consumer result is a reason to talk to a clinician or genetic counselor about clinical-grade testing.
What does a genetic counselor do, and do I need one?
A genetic counselor helps you understand what a genetic test can and can't tell you before you test, and helps you make sense of results and next steps afterward; genetic counseling is recommended before and after most hereditary cancer, cardiac, and reproductive genetic testing.