A Philadelphia-area hospital system is offering its employees free genetic testing, Fortune reports.
In collaboration with gene sequencing firm Color Genomics, Jefferson Health is offering its 30,000 employees testing, and tells Fortune that about 4,000 employees have already asked for testing kits. Color offers genetic testing for hereditary cancers as well as heart conditions and medication response, usually for $249, according to its website.
Thomas Jefferson University Hospital's Karen Knudsen tells Fortune that the program is optional for employees and that employees who choose to take part can avail themselves of the services of genetic counselors either through Color or at the Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center at no cost. Both Stephen Klasko, president of Thomas Jefferson University and CEO of Jefferson Health, and Color CEO Othman Laraki add that the counseling component is key to ensuring patients understand the context of their results.