BURLINGAME, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Color Genomics today announced the Benefits Program for Genetic Testing for Breast and Ovarian Cancer Risk, a first-of-its-kind initiative to offer such testing to an organization’s employee base. Eighteen organizations from the Bay Area and beyond are the initial partners pledging to offer their employees the Color Benefits Program, which entails covering at least 50 percent of the cost of the physician-ordered Color Test for employees from October 2015 through October 2016. Color Genomics welcomes others to join in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Color Genomics launched in April 2015 to offer the Color Test: a clinical-grade, physician-ordered genetic test for 19 genes related to breast and ovarian cancer, including BRCA1 and BRCA2. All Color testing includes genetic counseling at no additional cost. For companies participating in the Benefits Program, Color will also offer onsite educational programs with board-certified genetic counselors as part of the program. Genetic testing for breast and ovarian cancer risk can typically cost as much as $4,000. However, with Color’s affordable price of $249 and a 50 percent or more subsidy from employers, the cost of the Color Test is just $125 or less for employees. Additionally, in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the Color Test will be generally available for $199 in the month of October.
The pioneering 18 organizations seeking new and innovative ways to support the health, wellness and diversity through the Color Benefits Program include: Addepar, Andreessen Horowitz, AngelList, CloudPhysics, Gainsight, Glow, Innovation Endeavors, Instacart, Medium, Sacramento Kings, Slack, Social Capital, Stripe, SurveyMonkey, Visa and Y Combinator.
“I had the opportunity to get tested earlier this year and want my team to have the same opportunity and access,” said Jessica Livingston, founder of Y Combinator.
“We have pledged to offer the Color Benefits Program because we care deeply about the health of our employees and want them to have access to this important test,” explained Apoorva Mehta, CEO of Instacart, a San Francisco-based technology company that offers same-day grocery delivery.
“This was a no-brainer for us. The health and well-being of our staff is of utmost importance, so we took the step to give our employees the opportunity and option to get tested,” added Scott Moak, executive director of The Sacramento Kings Foundation. “This program is in line with our organization’s values and we hope all other teams will consider joining us.”
While some insurance plans cover this type of testing, health plan coverage tends to only extend to a subset of individuals who can provide proof of a strong family history of breast and ovarian cancer. However, only approximately 20 percent of individuals who carry mutations are believed to know their status and roughly 50 percent of people carrying BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations do not have the family history that would allow for insurance coverage.1,2,3,4 These individuals have not been able to get tested due to high costs and a lack of insurance coverage. With the Color Benefits Program, these partners will be offering the Color Test as part of their benefits offerings, giving their team the option to conveniently and privately learn their risk at an affordable price.
For more information on the Color Benefits Program for Genetic Testing for Breast and Ovarian Cancer Risk, visit http://getcolor.com/benefits or find out how your business can take part by emailing benefits@getcolor.com.
1 Gabai-Kapara E, Lahad A, Kaufman B, et al. Population-based screening for breast and ovarian cancer risk due to BRCA1 and BRCA2. Proceedings of the National Academy of Science of the United States of America. September 2014;111(39):14205-14210.
2 King, MC, Levy-Lahad E, Lahad A. Population-Based Screening for BRCA1 and BRCA2. The Journal of the American Medical Association. September 2014;312(11):1091-1092.
3 Drohan B, Roche CA, Cusack JC Jr, Hughes KS. Hereditary breast and ovarian cancer and other hereditary syndromes: using technology to identify carriers. Annals of Surgical Oncology. June 2012;19(6):1732-1737.
4 Kramer K. FORCE Celebrates 2015 National Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer Week September 27 – October 3 and National Previvor Day on September 30. FORCE Press Release. August 2015. http://www.facingourrisk.org/our-role-and-impact/our-impact/media-center/documents/2015-HBOC-Week-Press-Release.pdf
