Compare 3 genetic counselors in St. Louis, MO. Check ratings, insurance, and availability.
3
Genetic Counselors
100%
Accepting patients
33%
Most common: MS
Ranked by Clarity Score, based on profile detail, verification, and patient activity.
St. Louis punches above its weight in healthcare, anchored by Washington University School of Medicine and Barnes-Jewish Hospital, consistently ranked among the top ten hospitals in the country. The city also benefits from Saint Louis University's medical school and a deep bench of community hospitals operated by SSM Health and Mercy. With more hospital beds per capita than nearly any other US city, capacity is rarely the issue here. Finding the right fit within those systems is.
St. Louis has 3 genetic counselors. The most common credential is MS (33%). 100% are currently accepting new patients. Practitioners see patients in neighborhoods including Central West End, Soulard, The Hill, and Tower Grove.
The Washington University Medical Campus and Barnes-Jewish Hospital sit in the Central West End, which is the city's primary medical district. SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital is just south of downtown. Mercy Hospital St. Louis is in west St. Louis County near Creve Coeur. MetroLink light rail has a station at the Central West End, providing direct transit access to Barnes-Jewish. Most patients outside the city core drive, with I-64 and I-44 connecting the major hospital campuses.
Nearby hospitals include Barnes-Jewish Hospital, St. Louis Children's Hospital, and SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital. Local training programs run through Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and Saint Louis University School of Medicine. Barnes-Jewish Hospital, affiliated with Washington University, is consistently ranked among the top 10 hospitals in the nation.
Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield and UnitedHealthcare are the dominant commercial carriers in the St. Louis metro. Ambetter is the largest ACA marketplace presence. BJC HealthCare participates in most employer plans but is excluded from some narrow-network marketplace offerings. MO HealthNet (Medicaid) enrollment is significant, with managed care through Home State Health and UnitedHealthcare Community Plan.
A session lasts 30 to 60 minutes. The counselor will draw and analyze your family health history (pedigree), explain the genetic basis of the condition in question, discuss the benefits, limitations, and risks of genetic testing, and help you decide whether testing is right for you. If you have already been tested, the counselor will explain the results in plain language and discuss what they mean for you and your family. Genetic counselors provide emotional support and connect you with resources. They do not pressure you toward any particular decision about testing or treatment.
See a genetic counselor if you are pregnant and want to understand prenatal screening or diagnostic test options, have a family history of cancer (especially breast, ovarian, or colon cancer diagnosed young or in multiple relatives), have a child with a developmental delay or birth defect, are planning a pregnancy and want to understand carrier screening (especially if you and your partner share ancestry from a group with higher rates of certain conditions), received an unexpected result on a direct-to-consumer genetic test, or have a family history of a known genetic condition and want to understand your risk.
Genetic counseling session: $100-400 (often covered by insurance) · Genetic testing: $250-2,000+ (usually covered when medically indicated) · With insurance copay: $20-75 · Direct-to-consumer test: $100-300 (not covered)
St. Louis, MO has 3 licensed genetic counselors. 100% are currently accepting new patients, so finding an available provider should be straightforward.
Yes. 100% of genetic counselors in St. Louis, MO are currently accepting new patients. You can filter your search on FindClarity to show only providers who are taking new patients.
Missouri residents use HealthCare.gov for ACA marketplace plans. Ambetter, Anthem, and Aetna offer plans in the St. Louis area. MO HealthNet is the state Medicaid program. Employer-sponsored plans often include BJC, Mercy, and SSM in-network, but always verify. The St. Louis metro also extends into Illinois, so residents in the Metro East may have different plan options.
A genetic counseling session costs $100 to $400 (often covered by insurance). Genetic testing costs $250 to $2,000+ (usually covered when medically indicated). With insurance copay: $20 to $75. Actual costs in St. Louis, MO depend on the provider and your insurance plan. Many genetic testing labs offer reduced self-pay pricing ($250 or less) if insurance denies coverage. The genetic counselor will help with pre-authorization and can advise on the most cost-effective testing approach. GINA protects against health insurance discrimination based on genetic results.
St. Louis healthcare is organized around BJC HealthCare (Barnes-Jewish and affiliated hospitals), SSM Health (Saint Louis University Hospital and community hospitals), and Mercy. BJC/Washington University is the academic powerhouse for specialty referrals. SSM and Mercy operate broader community networks. Your insurance plan's network will determine which system is most affordable, and narrow-network plans that exclude BJC/WashU are common on the ACA marketplace.
MS stands for Master of Science in Genetic Counseling and CGC stands for Certified Genetic Counselor. Both are equivalent qualifications. In St. Louis, MO, 33% hold the MS credential and 33% hold CGC. The difference is in training pathway, not quality of care.
Some genetic counselors in St. Louis, MO accept MO HealthNet, the state's Medicaid program. Medicaid covers genetic counseling and testing for prenatal and cancer indications in most states. Coverage varies for other indications. Contact the provider's office directly to confirm MO HealthNet participation before scheduling.
Barnes-Jewish Hospital is a separate institution from Washington University, but they are closely affiliated. Washington University physicians staff Barnes-Jewish, and the medical campus is shared. Together they form the BJC HealthCare system. When people refer to "Wash U Medicine," they usually mean the combined academic and clinical enterprise.
St. Louis City and St. Louis County are separate jurisdictions, which can affect Medicaid eligibility, public health services, and some community programs. Most hospital systems and private practices serve both areas regardless of the boundary. If you are on MO HealthNet, confirm your provider accepts patients from your specific jurisdiction.
Top accepted carriers in St. Louis, MO include qhp-44228, unitedhealthcare, cigna, and qhp-54192.
Genetic counseling sessions are covered by most insurance plans when medically indicated. Medicare covers genetic counseling for hereditary cancer syndromes and prenatal indications. Medicaid coverage varies by state. Genetic testing is covered when ordered based on medical necessity criteria (family history, clinical findings). Pre-authorization is often required for both the counseling visit and the test. If insurance denies coverage for testing, many labs offer reduced self-pay rates or financial assistance programs. The genetic counselor can help navigate coverage and appeals.