.svg)
The cost of a BRCA gene test varies widely depending on how you access it and whether insurance covers it. Without insurance, a BRCA-only test typically costs between $300 and $500 from a clinical laboratory. A hereditary cancer panel that covers 26 or more genes linked to cancer risk typically costs less.
With insurance, what you actually pay depends on your specific plan, your deductible, and whether your physician has documented that testing is medically necessary. Many people who expect to pay everything out of pocket discover that their insurer covers testing once a physician submits the right documentation.
There is also a membership option that includes clinical-grade hereditary cancer risk testing, genetic counseling, and ongoing precision health support. We cover that in detail below.
This article clearly explains BRCA test costs, what affects them, when insurance covers testing, and what to know before you call your insurer.
BRCA1 and BRCA2 are genes that everyone has. When working normally, they help your body repair damaged DNA and reduce the risk of cells becoming cancerous. The concern arises when someone carries an inherited mutation in one of these genes, meaning a change that was present from birth and passed down through the family. Some inherited mutations can prevent the gene from working properly or at all, which may increase a person’s risk for certain cancers.
A mutation in BRCA1 or BRCA2 may significantly elevate the lifetime risk of breast, ovarian, prostate, and pancreatic cancer. Testing for these mutations is typically recommended for people with a family history of these cancers, certain personal health histories, or specific ancestry backgrounds associated with higher mutation prevalence, such as Ashkenazi Jewish descent.
The test itself is straightforward: a cheek swab, saliva sample, or blood draw is sent to a clinical laboratory, and results are typically returned within 2 to 4 weeks. What varies significantly is the cost, how you access it, and whether insurance covers it. That is what this article addresses.
Out-of-pocket costs for BRCA gene tests have decreased substantially over the past decade as laboratory technology has improved and competition in the clinical genetics market has increased. Approximate cost ranges as of 2025–2026 (American Cancer Society, Genetic Testing):
Laboratories may publish a list price, but insurance pricing is determined by negotiated contract rates between the laboratory and the insurer, which can differ substantially from that amount.
Many health plans cover BRCA gene testing when medical necessity criteria are met. When covered, out-of-pocket costs typically reflect the plan's cost-sharing structure, deductible, copay, and coinsurance, rather than the full test price. For individuals who have met their annual deductible, the out-of-pocket cost after insurance may be minimal.
Coverage is not guaranteed and varies by plan. The most reliable way to find out what you will actually pay is to contact your insurer directly before testing, and ask specifically about BRCA gene testing coverage.
One of the most common misconceptions about BRCA testing is that a BRCA-only test is significantly cheaper than a multi-gene panel. In practice, the price difference is often very small, and at many clinical-grade laboratories, multi-gene panels cost the same as or less than BRCA-only testing.
From a value standpoint, a multi-gene panel is almost always the better choice. A negative BRCA-only test tells you one thing: you do not carry a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation that particular test was designed to detect. It tells you nothing about whether you carry a mutation in PALB2, ATM, or the Lynch syndrome genes, or in CDKN2A, all of which can also significantly elevate cancer risk.
A multi-gene panel assesses multiple genes linked to hereditary cancer risk from a single sample, providing broader information than testing a single gene or a small set of genes.
Cost also varies by:
Health insurers typically cover BRCA gene testing when a physician has documented that testing is medically necessary based on personal or family history. (NCI, BRCA Fact Sheet)
The criteria they most commonly apply include:
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends that primary care physicians screen women with a personal or family history of breast, ovarian, tubal, or peritoneal cancer for risk factors associated with BRCA mutations and refer those who test positive to genetic counseling. If followed, this recommendation may initiate the insurance coverage pathway. (CDC, Tier 1 / USPSTF Recommendation)
The Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (NIH NHGRI, About GINA) is a U.S. federal law that prohibits health insurers from using genetic test results to deny coverage, raise premiums, or discriminate against individuals in group or individual health insurance markets. This means:
One important limitation: GINA does not apply to life, disability, or long-term care insurance. Those markets can and do consider genetic test results in their underwriting decisions. This can be an important consideration when deciding whether and when to pursue testing. (NIH NHGRI, About GINA)
For anyone pursuing hereditary cancer risk testing, a multi-gene panel is the stronger clinical choice:
A physician referral to a genetic counselor or genetics department is a well-established path to hereditary cancer genetic testing. Your physician documents medical necessity, which gives you the best opportunity for insurance coverage if you meet the eligibility criteria.
Kadance Complete membership is a membership and includes hereditary cancer risk testing across 26 clinically actionable genes, genetic counseling if results are positive to explain them, and ongoing precision health support. No physician referral required.
If you have been recently diagnosed with cancer or are currently in treatment, the Kadance Navigate membership may be more appropriate. If you are a cancer survivor focused on recurrence monitoring, Kadance Recover may be the right fit. All decisions should be made in consultation with your physician.
Available online without a physician or counselor. Lower cost upfront, but the limitations are significant. Most DTC BRCA tests screen only for a very limited set of known mutations. Results may not be accepted by physicians for clinical decision-making. No genetic counseling is included, which means a positive result can be difficult to act on. See the FAQ below for more details.
Yes. Kadance Complete membership provides access to clinical-grade hereditary cancer risk testing across 26 genes, genetic counseling if results are positive, and ongoing precision health support, all without requiring a physician referral.
Yes, through direct-to-consumer genetic testing companies or through a precision health membership like Kadance. DTC tests have important limitations: most tests are limited to a small set of known BRCA mutations; not all DTC labs hold CAP accreditation and CLIA certification; no genetic counseling is included; and many physicians will not act on a positive DTC result without confirmation from a clinical-grade test. Kadance avoids all of these limitations without requiring a physician referral.
Medicare Part B may cover BRCA testing for beneficiaries with a personal history of breast or ovarian cancer, or a family member with a confirmed BRCA mutation, when testing is ordered by a physician and medical necessity is documented. Medicaid coverage varies by state. Contacting Medicare directly or asking your physician's billing team to verify coverage before testing is the most reliable approach.
Not necessarily. Most DTC BRCA tests screen for a limited set of known mutations rather than sequencing the entire BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. A test might check only for the three most common BRCA founder mutations in the Ashkenazi Jewish population and miss hundreds of other BRCA mutations found in other populations. Clinical-grade testing from a CAP-accredited, CLIA-certified laboratory performs full gene sequencing and provides a more complete assessment.
If you pursue testing through a physician referral, genetic counseling may or may not be included, depending on your provider and plan. Direct-to-consumer tests do not include genetic counseling. Kadance Complete membership that includes hereditary cancer risk testing and genetic counseling, with no separate fees for either, if your results are positive.
Worrying about the cost of the BRCA gene test is understandable. A positive result can create long-term value by opening the door to earlier monitoring, risk-reduction options, and information that may help other family members. A negative result can also provide useful information, but it should be interpreted in the context of the specific test performed and family history.
A standalone BRCA test costs $300 to $500 and does not include counseling. Kadance Complete Membership is a membership that includes hereditary cancer risk testing across 26 clinically actionable genes, genetic counseling to interpret your positive results, and if cancer is ever diagnosed, a dedicated oncology nurse navigator who stays with you throughout the journey, along with access to pathology second opinions, advanced molecular tumor testing, and other clinical support services.
The best time to find out is now, while you still have the most options.