The mission of PLUGS is to improve lab test ordering – to help patients get the right test at the right time, to help providers retrieve and understand the results correctly, and to improve the chances that the test is covered and paid for by your insurance plan. PLUGS provides tools and guidance to providers, labs and insurance plans, and we also want to empower patients and caregivers with resources to help you get the right test and get it covered.
If you are a provider, we have compiled additional resources for you here.
Laboratory Testing
Lab tests are procedures in which a sample, such as blood, is used to help diagnose disease or other conditions. When a lab test is ordered, it is important to understand why the test needs to be done, how it will be done, and what your provider expects to learn from the results.
The mission of Choosing Wisely is to promote conversations between clinicians and patients by helping patients choose care that is supported by evidence, not duplicative of other tests or procedures already received, free from harm, and truly necessary.
Testing.com has resources designed to help patients and caregivers understand the what, why, and how of laboratory testing.
Insurance Guidance/Support
For people that access the health care system more frequently, including those with rare disease, the insurance system can be difficult. These tools and resources can help you understand the insurance system and get lab tests covered.
In support of our mission, PLUGS has created tools to help improve the chances that your lab test is covered and paid for by your insurance plan. These resources were developed with support from the Laboratory Policy Donor Fund and Focus on Kids Laboratory Guild.
Complex Lab Tests: How to Get Them Covered
This toolkit provides information about payment for complex lab tests. It also provides checklists to help patients and families get complex lab tests covered and to prepare an appeal if the claim or request is denied.
PLUGS Medical Policies
Access medical policies developed by experts within the PLUGS network. These policies are intended for use by insurance payers, laboratories, providers, families, and consumer groups to guide coverage and reimbursement for medically appropriate genetic tests.
Global Genes is a proud member of the PLUGS network and is a non-profit organization that connects, empowers and inspires the rare disease community. Visit their extensive information center resource hub for patients and advocates, and utilize their Navigating Health Insurance toolkit.
Genetics
Genetic tests can diagnose a genetic condition or help determine if a person has a chance of developing or passing on a genetic condition.
Genetic Support Foundation is a proud member of the PLUGS network and is a non-profit organization that provides up-to-date, objective genetic information to patients, providers, and healthcare organizations. Visit their Patient Library to learn more about topics related to genetic healthcare.
Global Genes is a proud member of the PLUGS network and is a non-profit organization that connects, empowers and inspires the rare disease community. Visit their rare disease list for specific disease, support organizations, related news, events and clinical trials.
GeneReviews is an international point-of-care resource for busy clinicians, provides clinically relevant and medically actionable information for inherited conditions in a standardized journal-style format, covering diagnosis, management, and genetic counseling for patients and their families.
Genetic Counselors are specialists who provide personalized help about your genetic health. National Society of Genetic Counselors has information regarding genetic counseling, genetic testing, genetic conditions, and how to find a genetic counselor near you.
The Center for Genomic Interpretation (CGI) provides an accurate interpretation of patients and consumers’ genetic variants to help guide clinical decision making.