What is an NIPT test, how much is it, and what are the benefits?

Non-invasive prenatal tests (NIPTs) are primarily used to share genetic insights about your baby’s chromosomal health. Because of their importance for prenatal health, an estimated 64% of private insurance plans cover the total costs of NIPTs in the US.

However, some insurance companies only cover some of the costs, while other plans may require copays or coinsurance.

Everything You Need to Know About NIPT Testing

A Non-Invasive Prenatal Test (NIPT) is one of the major recent advancements in prenatal care, introduced in 2012. Unlike traditional diagnostic procedures like amniocentesis—which carry a small risk of pregnancy loss—NIPTs use a simple blood draw from the expectant parent to analyze tiny pieces of cell-free DNA (cfDNA) from the placenta. In doing so, these tests can screen for certain genetic disorders (and as a secondary function, predict a baby’s sex), all without the high risk of invasive procedures. You may also monitor the development of your baby with different types of ultrasounds.

The advantages of NIPTs are clear, but let’s take a closer look at the costs and limitations so that you can make an informed decision for you and your baby.

How much does the NIPT screening cost?

In the United States, the cost of an in-office, non-invasive prenatal test can range from $800 to $2000. With insurance, these costs are typically covered (though you may still need to pay a copay or toward your deductible). Most insurance plans and Medicaid now deem NIPT medically necessary for all pregnancies.

Importantly, some factors can influence your total price tag, including:

• Your provider
• Laboratory fees
• The specific conditions being screened for

Other factors that can impact the price of NIPTs include:

• Choice of laboratory – For instance, hospitals and OBGYN private practices may use different laboratories for sample analysis, which can result in varying fees.

• Scope of testing – Some NIPTs only screen for a handful of chromosomal conditions, like Down syndrome (Trisomy 21), Edwards syndrome (Trisomy 18), and Patau syndrome (Trisomy 13). Non-invasive prenatal tests are performed and can efficiently detect these conditions.

If you’re looking to screen for a specific condition, it’s important to ask your provider whether it will be accounted for on a standard panel. Sometimes, these are available, though at an added expense. Additionally, you may have to account for:

• Lab processing fees – Providers typically work with third-party labs to process these samples, and these labs usually have their own fees for analysis.

• Follow-up appointments – Depending on your test results, you and your baby may require extra testing or consultations, which may introduce added costs.

What is a non-invasive prenatal test screen for?

One of the secondary benefits of getting an NIPT is that you can find out your baby’s predicted sex. However, an in-office NIPT is first and foremost used to screen for chromosomal disorders and congenital disabilities like:

• Down Syndrome (Trisomy 21) – This chromosomal abnormality results from an extra copy of chromosome 21 and can affect your baby’s physical and intellectual development.

• Edwards Syndrome (Trisomy 18) – An abnormality of chromosome 18 which can cause severe developmental delays and complications.

• Patau Syndrome (Trisomy 13) – This rare condition results from an extra chromosome 13 in every cell and is associated with significant intellectual and physical disabilities.

As mentioned, many providers also offer the option of extended panels. These can screen for chromosomal conditions, including:

• Sex chromosome conditions (e.g. Turner syndrome, Klinefelter syndrome)
• Microdeletions, which occur when a piece of a chromosome is missing
• Triploidy, a form of aneuploidy, which occurs when a person has an extra set of chromosomes

Who should perform an NIPT screening?

It used to be the case that physicians would recommend NIPT when a parent-to-be was at an increased risk of chromosomal abnormalities. However, it’s now recommended that all pregnancies be considered for NIPT, regardless of risk.

You may want to give extra consideration to testing if any of the following apply to you:

• You’re older than 35 years old
• You and/or your partner is a carrier for a genetic condition
• Your ultrasound results indicate a possible complication or health issue
• You’ve been pregnant before and were impacted by a chromosomal disorder

However, anyone who is concerned about potential genetic conditions their baby could develop can seek out non-invasive prenatal testing.

If you’re interested in testing, the Prequel® Prenatal Screen can give you the information you’re looking for, whether or not you have insurance. Many customers experience zero additional costs for their Prequel Screen, but insurance coverage varies, and out-of-pocket costs may apply depending on your plan. If your test isn’t covered by insurance, you may be offered the Direct Pay Option, which allows you to proceed with testing for a flat fee of $249.

What are the limitations of prenatal genetic testing?

Despite its high accuracy, your typical NIPT has its limitations. Firstly, most tests are conducted around 10 weeks of pregnancy at the earliest. Some expecting parents might want the opportunity to evaluate their baby’s risk of chromosomal conditions sooner.

Along those lines, it’s important to understand exactly what an NIPT test can and can’t do in order to set realistic expectations. Here’s what you need to know:

• It’s a screening, not a diagnosis –NIPT assesses the probability or risk levels of certain conditions, but it doesn’t necessarily confirm them. For a definitive diagnosis, you’ll need follow-up tests like chorionic villus sampling (CVS) or amniocentesis, which are a degree more invasive than NIPTs.

• Accuracy can vary – NIPTs tend to be highly accurate for common trisomies, but they can be less reliable for rarer conditions. Often, this is because pregnant people tend to have low fetal DNA levels early on in pregnancy.

You may also have low fetal DNA levels if you have a high BMI, meaning your test may not provide a result.

• There’s potential for false positives and negatives – False positives and negatives are rare, but they can happen. For this reason, follow-up testing is encouraged to arrive at a conclusive diagnosis.

• NIPTs don’t screen for heritable conditions – If you’re concerned about passing on an inherited disease to your baby, it’s recommended that both parents undergo carrier screening. In fact, carrier screening is recommended for anyone considering pregnancy.

Are there other NIPT tests?

With traditional NIPT, there are factors that can affect your ability to access the test and get an accurate result, including financial limitations and BMI.

Fortunately, this isn’t the case with The Prequel® Prenatal Screen. It uses the same cfDNA technology to evaluate the likelihood of common chromosomal conditions like:

• Down syndrome (Trisomy 21)
• Edwards syndrome (Trisomy 18)
• Patau syndrome (Trisomy 13)

However, the Prequel Prenatal Screen is accessible to any parent regardless of age, ancestry, BMI, or insurance coverage (as long as you have a physician’s approval). That’s because Prequel offers financial assistance, as well as a Direct Pay Option that allows you to proceed with testing for a flat fee of $249 if your test isn’t covered by insurance.

In fact, 58% of people are eligible for financial assistance for Prequel.

While 99.9% of patients received accurate results at 10 weeks into pregnancy—regardless of BMI—the Prequel Prenatal Screen can also provide insights as early as 8 weeks.

How does the Prequel Prenatal Screen work?

The process for getting a Prequel Prenatal Screen is simple:

• Talk to your healthcare provider about the Prequel Prenatal Screen at your next visit. You can even share a Provider Guide with them so you’re both on the same page.

• Have your blood drawn for a blood test. This can be done during any standard prenatal appointment.

• Get results back in 7 to 10 days. Your blood sample is processed, and your results are delivered ASAP.

This test includes residual-risk estimates and PPVs (positive-predictive-values), which can indicate any possible red flags with your baby’s genetic health. What’s more, if the Prequel Prenatal Screen detects anything amiss, you’ll have access to a network of board-certified genetics counselors who can help interpret and provide clarity about your results.

Are there any drawbacks to the Prequel Prenatal Screen?

Like traditional NIPTs, the Prequel Prenatal Screen is non-diagnostic—rather, it measures the potential risk of your baby developing a genetic condition.

The Prequel Prenatal Screen is also an in-office test, so you’ll need to coordinate with your healthcare provider in order to receive one.

Gain Insight, Guidance, and Peace of Mind with the Prequel® Prenatal Screen

Learning about your little one in the months leading up to their arrival can help you feel more confident and prepared on your path to parenthood. If you’re looking for an accessible, efficient way to learn more about your baby’s health and development—regardless of your age, ancestry, BMI, or insurance coverage—consider the Prequel® Prenatal Screen.

Send a free, downloadable Provider Guide to your healthcare provider today to get the process started.