Compare 126 genetic counselors in Seattle, WA. Check ratings, insurance, and availability.
126
Genetic Counselors
100%
Accepting patients
32%
Most common: MS
Ranked by Clarity Score, based on profile detail, verification, and patient activity.
Seattle is home to one of the country's deepest concentrations of medical research and clinical talent. UW Medicine anchors the academic side, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center is a global leader in oncology, and Swedish Medical Center (now part of Providence) operates the largest community hospital network in the metro. The city also has a strong tradition of community health centers serving immigrant and underserved populations.
Seattle has 126 genetic counselors. The most common credential is MS (32%). 100% are currently accepting new patients.
Seattle's medical geography centers on First Hill, sometimes called "Pill Hill," where Swedish, Harborview, and Virginia Mason cluster within a few blocks. UW Medical Center and Seattle Children's sit further north in the University District. The Link light rail connects Capitol Hill and the U-District to downtown, making hospital access by transit feasible. Crossing Lake Washington to the Eastside adds 20 to 40 minutes depending on bridge traffic.
Providers practice throughout Seattle. Capitol Hill is swedish Medical Center's First Hill campus and several LGBTQ+ affirming practices serve this dense, vibrant neighborhood. Fremont is a quirky neighborhood with growing healthcare options and proximity to UW Medical Center. Ballard is swedish Ballard campus provides community hospital care in this waterfront neighborhood. Queen Anne is lower Queen Anne is near the South Lake Union medical corridor and Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center.
Nearby hospitals include UW Medical Center, Harborview Medical Center, and Swedish Medical Center. Local training programs run through University of Washington School of Medicine and Seattle University. UW Medicine is ranked among the top 10 medical schools in the US for primary care, serving a five-state region.
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)
Seattle, WA has 126 licensed genetic counselors. 100% are currently accepting new patients, so finding an available provider should be straightforward.
Yes. 100% of genetic counselors in Seattle, WA are currently accepting new patients. You can filter your search on FindClarity to show only providers who are taking new patients.
Premera Blue Cross and Regence Blue Shield are the two dominant commercial carriers in Washington State. Kaiser Permanente has a closed network. Apple Health (Washington Medicaid) is accepted at Harborview, UW Neighborhood Clinics, and most community health centers.
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 Seattle, WA 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.
Seattle has three major systems: UW Medicine (academic), Swedish/Providence (community), and Kaiser Permanente (integrated). Harborview Medical Center (run by UW) is the region's only Level I trauma center. Your employer's insurance plan is the best starting point for choosing a system.
MS stands for Master of Science in Genetic Counseling and CGC stands for Certified Genetic Counselor. Both are equivalent qualifications. In Seattle, WA, 32% hold the MS credential and 20% hold CGC. The difference is in training pathway, not quality of care.
Some genetic counselors in Seattle, WA accept Apple Health, 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 Apple Health participation before scheduling.
First Hill is the neighborhood just east of downtown Seattle where Swedish Medical Center, Harborview Medical Center, and Virginia Mason are clustered. The nickname comes from this dense concentration of hospitals and medical offices.
Yes, but traffic matters. I-90 and SR-520 bridges connect the Eastside to Seattle, but commute times can double during rush hours. Overlake Medical Center in Bellevue and EvergreenHealth in Kirkland provide strong local options so you don't always need to cross the lake.
Top accepted carriers in Seattle, WA include unitedhealthcare, qhp-38344, qhp-56707, centene, and qhp-89364.
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.