Arranging a test
When:
NIPT can only be performed between 10 completed weeks’ gestation and term. This test has not been validated at earlier gestations; the concentration of fetal DNA in maternal plasma is often too low prior to 10 weeks.
There is no upper limit to the gestation at which NIPT can be performed, but other considerations may limit the utility of testing after 20 weeks.
How:
The blood sample is collected into specific tubes. This tube must be used to ensure that the DNA is not degraded during transfer to the laboratory.
Where:
Sample collection is only available at selected collection centres across Australia, and may be restricted to specific days (please call 1800 010 447 for details). Your patient can prepay and book a collection centre through our web portal (www.sonicgenetics.com.au/patient) or by calling the 1800 number above.
For more details about the test, please click here.
To prevent any delays with the process and to ensure that the options requested and charges are correct, please advise your patient to select the tests on the portal to match the request form that you will have completed.
NIPT request form
We require a specific request form that must be signed by both requesting doctor and patient. This form assists with the provision of the required clinical information and confirms that the patient has been appropriately counselled.
> Download a Sonic Genetics NIPT request form
> Order NIPT through Genie, Best Practice and Medical Director.
How long does the test take?
We aim to provide the test result within 3–8 business days from the date of sample receipt by the testing laboratory.
On rare occasions, the NIPT test is unable to provide a risk assessment for the common trisomies. This may be due to there being too little fetal DNA in the mother’s blood sample or uncommon benign variations in the maternal or fetal DNA sequences, or to problems in the shipping or analysis of the sample. In selected circumstances, a repeat sample collection and analysis (at no cost) may be warranted; the laboratory will advise the clinician if this is the case.
Pricing
The list price for NIPT for the three common trisomies (of chromosomes 21, 18 and 13) is $425.
The patient’s doctor may request the options of screening for fetal sex [no charge] or for sex chromosome abnormalities [no charge] or both.
The patient’s doctor may also request the option of genome-wide NIPT for duplications and deletions, and for rare monosomies and trisomies. There is an additional charge of $70 for this option.
All requests must be made by the requesting clinician prior to the patient’s sample being collected. We do not accept requests from patients.
At present, NIPT is not rebated by Medicare or covered by private health insurance. We require payment in advance.
In the rare circumstance that a repeat sample is recommended, the repeat test is performed at no additional cost. If there is no result regarding the risk of trisomy after one sample collection (or after a re-collection, if recommended by the laboratory), the patient is entitled to apply for a full refund (please contact the local Sonic pathology practice which collected the sample/s). We do not offer a refund if we can provide a result for the risk of trisomy but not for fetal sex or for sex chromosome abnormalities.