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DNA Today: A Genetics Podcast

Kira Dineen

Discover New Advances in the world of genetics, from technology like CRISPR to rare diseases to new research. For over a decade, multi-award winning podcast ”DN...

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#319 New CPT Code 96041 Explained: 2025 Billing for Genetic Counselors
With 2025 right around the corner, we are discussing the brand new CPT Code 96041 that will be effective January 1st, 2025. This is a game-changer for the genetic counseling profession, and we have two experts to break it down for us. Dr. Colleen Campbell is in the last weeks of her NSGC presidency. She also serves as the Director of Genetic Counseling Operations for University of Iowa Health Care. We’re also joined by Brian Reys, a cancer genetic counselor and manager at UT Southwestern’s Cancer Genetics Program. He also serves as a CPT Coding Advisor to NSGC. Colleen and Brian will explain how this new code affects billing and what genetic counselors need to know for 2025! On This Episode We Discuss: Key Differences: Explained the shift from "face-to-face" to "total time" billing between codes. Why the Change? Discussed the reasons behind the update and its necessity for the field. Total Time Billing: Detailed how this impacts documentation and billing. Billable Activities: Highlighted activities now eligible for billing under 96041. Expanded Access: Explored how telehealth eligibility broadens access to genetic counseling. Best Practices: Provided tips for accurate time documentation. The 50% Rule: Explained the significance and implications. Payer Reimbursement: Discussed potential hurdles and advocacy strategies. Medicare and Medicaid: Analyzed coverage limitations and the path to Medicare recognition. State-Specific Medicaid Policies: Emphasized the importance of understanding local regulations. Multiple Provider Encounters: Explained how the new code applies in complex scenarios. Student Involvement: Discussed billing practices during supervised encounters. Institutional Adoption: Provided guidance for clinics and institutions. Collaboration: Highlighted the importance of working with billing and compliance departments. NSGC's Role: Discussed the organization's efforts to educate stakeholders. Individual Advocacy: Encouraged listeners to actively advocate for the new code. Real-World Application: Walked through a hypothetical patient interaction to illustrate time documentation and billing. GCA Value: Discussed the potential impact of 96041 on GCA roles. Independent Provider Status: Explored the potential implications for genetic counselors' recognition. Integration into Healthcare: Discussed the role of 96041 in mainstream healthcare. Final Advice: Offered concluding advice for genetic counselors and billing departments. Colleen A. Campbell, PhD, MS, LGC, serves as the 2024 President of the National Society of Genetic Counselors. She also serves as the Director of Genetic Counseling Operations for University of Iowa Health Care where she oversees the administration, standardization and continuous improvement of genetic counseling operations across the health system. In addition, she is a Clinical Associate Professor in the university’s Department of Internal Medicine. Dr. Campbell is an experienced clinician, researcher and educator in clinical genetics, and a recognized leader in the genetic counseling community for her passionate work growing the genetic counseling workforce in underserved areas and advocacy work. She led the successful Iowa legislative effort to license genetic counselors and is actively involved with H.R. 3876/ S.2323 the Access to Genetic Counselor Services Act, to improve patient access to genetic counseling services. Some highlights of her presidential term include leading the development of the 2025-2027 NSGC Strategic Plan, convening the global genetic counseling community in conversations about the global genetic counselor workforce, and leading the development of a four-prong approach to improve reimbursement for genetic counselor services. As a result of her work, she was awarded the 2018 National Society of Genetic Counselors Strategic Leader Award, 2020 Sarah Lawrence College Joan H. Marks Graduate Program in Human Genetics Distinguished Alumna Award, and 2024 Saint Mary’s College Distinguished Alumnae Award. Brian Reys, M.S., CGC, joined UT Southwestern Medical Center’s Cancer Genetics Program in 2015. He sees patients at multiple UT Southwestern clinics. He completed his Master of Science degree in medical genetics and genetic counseling at the University of Cincinnati Genetic Counseling Program in 2013. During his training, he completed a specialized internship in cancer genetics with the Cedars Sinai, GenRISK program in Los Angeles. Prior to moving to Texas, he worked as a genetic counselor in Southern California in the areas of prenatal, pediatric, and cancer genetic counseling. In addition to being a manager with the UT Southwestern Cancer Genetics Program, Reys is a panel member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) Prostate Cancer Early Detection panel and a CPT Coding Advisor to the National Society of Genetic Counselors (NSGC). He is committed to bridging patient and provider understanding of somatic and germline genetic testing. He has a particular interest in the genetic contribution to prostate, kidney, and bladder cancers. Reys believes that UT Southwestern’s experience in developing leading software in the field of genetic counseling risk assessment is key to increasing the accessibility of genetic counseling and testing for all patients and their families. The National Society of Genetic Counselors (NSGC) created the 2025 Changes to CPT® Billing Code page as a hub for resources relating to the new 96041 code. This includes the recordings for two presentations: one from the annual conference that took place in New Orleans in September, “Goodbye 96040, Hello 9x100: A Genetic Counseling CPT® Code Update for all Genetic Counselors”. And more recently, “CPT Billing Code Updates Webinar: Preparing for 2025” that was live streamed on November 19th, 2024 that was presented by the NSGC Access and Service Delivery (ASD) Committee. There is also a helpful 9 page PDF that answers frequently asked questions (FAQs). These resources require a NSGC membership login. Any additional questions can be submitted to [email protected] with the subject line “CPT/PAYER QUESTION.” Stay tuned for the next new episode of DNA Today next Friday! New episodes are released every Friday. In the meantime, you can binge over 300 other episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, streaming on the website, or any other podcast player by searching, “DNA Today”. Episodes since 2021 are also recorded with video which you can watch on our YouTube channel, this includes some episodes recorded at NBC Universal Stamford Studios. DNA Today is hosted and produced by Kira Dineen. Our video lead is Amanda Andreoli. Our social media lead is Kajal Patel. Our Outreach Intern is Liv Davidson. And our logo Graphic Designer is Ashlyn Enokian, MS, CGC. See what else we are up to on Instagram, X (Twitter), Threads, LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube and our website, DNAToday.com. Questions/inquiries can be sent to [email protected].
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#318 Genetics Wrapped 2024: Top Advances in Genomic Medicine
To celebrate the year coming to an end, we are reflecting back on the top genetics and genomics Bruce D. Gelb, M.D. is the outgoing President of the American Society of Human Genetics (ASHG). He is also the Director and Gogel Family Professor of the Mindich Child Health and Development Institute at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. He is Professor of Pediatrics and of Genetics and Genomic Sciences. Dr. Gelb completed a pediatric residency and pediatric cardiology fellowship at Babies Hospital of Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center and Texas Children’s Hospital at the Baylor College of Medicine, respectively. He joined the faculty at Mount Sinai in 1991 after fellowship and has remained there since. He developed and now oversees an extensive program in genomics/gene discovery for congenital heart disease. Dr. Gelb has received the E. Mead Johnson Award from the Society for Pediatric Research and the Norman J. Siegel New Member Outstanding Science Award from the American Pediatric Society. He was elected to the American Society of Clinical Investigation and the National Academy of Medicine (formerly, the Institute of Medicine). Dr. Gelb is the President for the American Pediatric Society, Immediate Past President for the International Pediatric Research Foundation and Treasurer-Elect for the American Society of Human Genetics. In addition to his research, he co-directs the Cardiovascular Genetics Program at Mount Sinai. Dr. Eric Green is the director of the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) at the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH). As NHGRI director, Dr. Green leads the Institute's research programs and other initiatives. He has played an instrumental leadership role in developing many high-profile efforts relevant to genomics. Dr. Green received his B.S. degree in bacteriology from the University of Wisconsin - Madison in 1981, and his M.D. and Ph.D. degrees from Washington University in 1987. Coincidentally, 1987 was the same year that the word “genomics” was coined. Dr. Green’s relationship with the Institute began long before his appointment as director. He served as the Institute’s scientific director (2002 - 2009), chief of the NHGRI Genome Technology Branch (1996 - 2009) and founding director of the NIH Intramural Sequencing Center (1997 - 2009). Prior to that, he played an integral role in the Human Genome Project. Dr. Green is a founding editor of the journal Genome Research (1995 - present) and a series editor of Genome Analysis: A Laboratory Manual (1994 - 1998), both published by Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press. He is also co-editor of Annual Review of Genomics and Human Genetics (since 2005). Throughout his career, he has authored and co-authored over 385 scientific publications. Dr. Green is a recurring guest on DNA Today, and he might hold the title as the guest who has been on the show the most times! He was featured on Episode #182 when we chatted about the Human Genome Project and the recent completion of the human genome sequence -- from telomere to telomere. Dr. Green was a panelist on the PhenoTips Speaker Series installment that our host Kira Dineen moderated about population genomics in clinical practice, this was also released on the DNA Today podcast feed as Episode #260. He was also on the last couple years for our genetics wrapped 2022 (#214) and 2023 (#263). Stay tuned for the next new episode of DNA Today next Friday! New episodes are released every Friday. In the meantime, you can binge over 300 other episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, streaming on the website, or any other podcast player by searching, “DNA Today”. Episodes since 2021 are also recorded with video which you can watch on our YouTube channel, this includes some episodes recorded at NBC Universal Stamford Studios. DNA Today is hosted and produced by Kira Dineen. Our video lead is Amanda Andreoli. Our social media lead is Kajal Patel. Our Outreach Intern is Liv Davidson. And our logo Graphic Designer is Ashlyn Enokian, MS, CGC. See what else we are up to on Instagram, X (Twitter), Threads, LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube and our website, DNAToday.com. Questions/inquiries can be sent to [email protected].
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#317 Prenatal Mock Genetic Counseling Session
We're excited to release our second installment in our new Mock Genetic Counseling Session series! In this installment, our host Genetic Counselor Kira Dineen and student Annette Grynspan perform a mock prenatal genetic counseling session. This prenatal session’s indication is one of the most common: advanced maternal age (AMA). This session was recorded in person, providing a more dynamic and engaging learning experience therefore, we highly recommend watching it on YouTube to fully immerse yourself in the interaction. We hope this series is helpful for prospective and current genetic counseling students, as well as the general public, by demystifying the genetic counseling process. Understanding how these sessions work can empower individuals and provide valuable educational insights into this critical healthcare service. Kira Dineen, MS, LCGC, CG(ASCP)CM (she/her) has over a decade of podcast experience fueled by a passion for science communication. She has hosted and/or produced 10 podcasts most notably DNA Today, Journal of Genetic Counseling's DNA Dialogues, N-Lorem's Patient Empowerment Program, Phenotips Speaker Series: A Genetic Podcast, It Happened To Me: A Rare Disease and Medical Challenges Podcast and others. For the past 4.5 years she has also served as the prenatal genetic counselor at a high risk pregnancy private practice in Connecticut for over four years. She was accepted into The Podcast Academy and previously served on the National Society of Genetic Counselor’s Digital Ambassador program. Kira received her Diagnostic Genetic Bachelor’s of Science degree at the University of Connecticut and is a certified Cytogenetic Technologist. She received her Master’s of Science at Sarah Lawrence College. Dr. Annette Grynspan (she/her) is an international medical graduate from Costa Rica with 14 years of experience in clinical care, research, and healthcare administration. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, and her Doctor of Medicine from the Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara. Currently, she is a second-year student in the Joan H. Marks Graduate Program in Human Genetics at Sarah Lawrence College. Fully bilingual in English and Spanish, Dr. Grynspan excels at communicating complex medical concepts and building relationships within diverse communities. Passionate about genetics, Dr. Grynspan focuses on personalized medicine and public health initiatives. Her upbringing in Costa Rica has fueled her commitment to health equity and empowering individuals with genetic knowledge for informed decision-making. With strong analytical skills and a detail-oriented approach, she aims to advance patient outcomes and advocate for underserved populations making a meaningful impact in the field of genetic counseling. The premise of this mock case was Dr. Grynspan’s work as part of her internship with DNA Today. Mock Prenatal Genetic Counseling Session Outline Contracting Greetings and introductions. Overview of the session: pregnancy history, symptoms, family history, genetic screening options, ultrasound preview, and addressing questions. Burning Questions Concerns about age-related risks for chromosomal conditions. Explanation of egg retrieval age vs. delivery age for risk assessment. Pregnancy Information Confirm due date, conception method, LMP and/or transfer date, etc. Pregnancy symptoms, exposures, and medical history review. Family History Maternal/paternal conditions and relatives' health details. Screening Options NIPS: Non-invasive blood screening to detect chromosomal conditions. CVS/Amnio: Diagnostic procedures, risks, timing, and testing options. NT Ultrasound Schedule around 13 weeks to measure the nuchal translucency (NT) and presence or absence of the nasal bone for indicators of chromosomal conditions. Session Wrap-Up Review next steps: NIPS consent, blood draw, and future appointments. Results will be provided in person at the next ultrasound. Invitation for partner involvement if desired. Stay tuned for the continuation of our mock genetic counseling session series! In 2025 we will bring you more mock sessions inspired by a cumulation of cases. Please note that the information provided in this mock genetic counseling session is intended strictly for educational purposes and should not be used for personal medical decision-making. If you have questions or concerns about your health, we encourage you to consult directly with a certified genetic counselor who can provide tailored medical recommendations. If you are in the United States, you can find a genetic counselor near you by visiting FindAGeneticCounselor.com. Stay tuned for the next new episode of DNA Today next Friday! New episodes are released every Friday. In the meantime, you can binge over 300 other episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, streaming on the website, or any other podcast player by searching, “DNA Today”. Episodes since 2021 are also recorded with video which you can watch on our YouTube channel, this includes some episodes recorded at NBC Stamford Studios. DNA Today is hosted and produced by Kira Dineen. Our video lead is Amanda Andreoli. Our social media lead is Kajal Patel. Our Outreach Intern is Liv Davidson. And our logo Graphic Designer is Ashlyn Enokian, MS, CGC. See what else we are up to on Instagram, X (Twitter), Threads, LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube and our website, DNAToday.com. Questions/inquiries can be sent to [email protected].
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#316 Cascade Genetic Testing: How “Connect My Variant” Empowers Families
Discover how Connect My Variant, a groundbreaking nonprofit, is revolutionizing the way families share crucial genetic information. Dr. Brian Shirts and Katy Meta reveal how their organization bridges the gap between genetic testing and family communication, potentially saving lives through early detection and prevention. Brian Shirts, M.D. is ConnectMyVariant’s President, Associate Professor of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, and Director of the Institute for Public Health Genetics at the University of Washington. His professional goal is to help prevent all hereditary cancer. In his clinical role, he supports a large range of clinical genetic testing from cell-free testing for prenatal screening to exome testing to hereditary cancer testing. Dr. Shirts earned his M.D. and Ph.D. at the University of Pittsburgh. He is board certified in both Clinical Pathology and Molecular Genetic Pathology. His clinical and research interests include improving strategies for detection and classification of rare mutations, clinical classification of rare genetic variants of uncertain significance, particularly variants in familial cancer genes; improving the use of complex and multifactorial clinical information, with special interest in personalized healthcare using genetic information and research on the storage and communication of genetic information in the healthcare setting. Kathryn (Katy) Meta volunteers as a Family Outreach Navigator at ConnectMyVariant. Katy has volunteered with a long list of organizations including the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA), ArtStream, CureMSD and others. She was interviewed on NPR’s Morning Edition about the importance of human connection on the NEDA Helpline, as well as the consequences of their decision to replace Helpline volunteers with an AI chatbot. She is in her Senior year at Dickson College earning her BS in Biology and minor in Psychology with a Health Studies certificate. She is interested in furthering her education with a Master's degree in Genetic Counseling. Key Highlights: - Cascade genetic testing enables families to proactively manage hereditary conditions - Trained navigators help individuals share sensitive genetic information with relatives - Connecting people with the same genetic variants creates supportive communities - Focus on cardiogenetics demonstrates the life-saving potential of early awareness - Family Outreach Navigators provide crucial follow-up support We spotlight the emotional and practical benefits of genetic information sharing, from preventing inherited diseases to fostering understanding among family members. Whether you're curious about genetic testing or looking to better understand your family's health history, this conversation offers invaluable insights into the future of personalized medicine. During the interview the resource FindAGeneticCounselor.com was recommended, and excitingly it is newly available in Spanish. Stay tuned for the next new episode of DNA Today next Friday! New episodes are released every Friday. In the meantime, you can binge over 300 other episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, streaming on the website, or any other podcast player by searching, “DNA Today”. Episodes since 2021 are also recorded with video which you can watch on our YouTube channel, this includes some episodes recorded at NBC Universal Stamford Studios. DNA Today is hosted and produced by Kira Dineen. Our video lead is Amanda Andreoli. Our social media lead is Kajal Patel. Our Outreach Intern is Liv Davidson. And our logo Graphic Designer is Ashlyn Enokian, MS, CGC. See what else we are up to on Instagram, X (Twitter), Threads, LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube and our website, DNAToday.com. Questions/inquiries can be sent to [email protected].
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#315 Preventing Sudden Cardiac Death via Genetics with Drs. Liebman & McNally
We explore a remarkable story of genetics, family history, and groundbreaking research with Dr. Susan Liebman and Dr. Elizabeth McNally. Together, they’ve identified a genetic mutation with life-saving implications for families affected by inherited heart conditions, like Dr. Liebman’s own. Meet Our Guests: Dr. Susan Liebman is a trailblazing molecular geneticist who uses yeast as a model organism to study prions and human protein misfolding diseases such as ALS and Alzheimer’s. Her research also extends to the prion form of the cancer gene p53. With over 100 publications in leading journals, including Nature, Science, and Cell, and more than $13 million in research funding, her contributions to the field are substantial. Susan began her scientific journey as one of MIT’s early female undergraduates (B.S. 1968) and went on to earn advanced degrees from Harvard (M.S. 1969) and the University of Rochester (Ph.D. 1974) medical schools. In addition to her research, she taught genetics to undergraduate and graduate students for more than 35 years. Dr. Elizabeth McNally directs the Center for Genetic Medicine at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago and is the Elizabeth J. Ward Professor of Genetic Medicine. She is a practicing cardiologist with expertise in cardiovascular genetics. As a clinician, she developed practices for integrating genetic information into cardiovascular care. She has a special interest in neuromuscular diseases like muscular dystrophy and their accompanying cardiovascular complications. Episode Highlights: - Family Medical History: Dr. Liebman shares the powerful backstory behind “The Dressmaker’s Mirror” and how a century-old family secret shaped her journey in genetic research and advocacy. - Discovering the FLNC Mutation: Dr. McNally discusses the process of uncovering this mutation in Dr. Liebman’s family, highlighting the challenges and breakthroughs in genetic testing and the importance of tracking family medical history. - Genetic Screening and Personalized Medicine: The guests examine the future of genetic testing, including the ethical complexities and benefits of population screening for high-risk groups, like Ashkenazi Jews, who have a higher frequency of the FLNC mutation. - Preventive Care in Cardiology: Dr. McNally shares insights on integrating genetic data into cardiology, from identifying cardiomyopathy risks to offering personalized care for patients. - Barriers to Genetic Testing: They address why only a small percentage of cardiomyopathy cases are referred for genetic testing and discuss ways to increase access and education around genetic testing’s role in heart health. - The Future of Gene Therapy: Hear Dr. McNally’s outlook on gene therapy advancements for actionable genes, including the latest on FLNC’s addition to the ACMG list of actionable genes. Enter Book Giveaway! You can win a free copy of “The Dressmaker’s Mirror”! Head over to DNA Today’s social media to enter the giveaway. You can also enter the Goodreads giveaway for additional opportunities. Can’t wait to see if you won? Buy a copy of the book through the publisher (with code RLFANDF30) or on Amazon. More Info You can learn more about the author Dr. Susan Liebman, on her website here. If you are interested in booking her as a speaker check out her Media Kit here, you can reach out to our host Kira Dineen ([email protected]) as she is also her Book Launch Agent! Keep up with Dr. Elizabeth McNally on X @EMMcNally. References Golbus JR, Puckelwartz MJ, Dellefave-Castillo L, Fahrenbach JP, Nelakuditi V, Pesce LL, Pytel P, McNally EM. Targeted analysis of whole genome sequence data to diagnose genetic cardiomyopathy. Circ Cardiovasc Genet. 2014 Dec;7(6):751-759. doi: 10.1161/CIRCGENETICS.113.000578. Epub 2014 Sep 1. PMID: 25179549; PMCID: PMC4270910. Dellefave-Castillo LM, Cirino AL, Callis TE, Esplin ED, Garcia J, Hatchell KE, Johnson B, Morales A, Regalado E, Rojahn S, Vatta M, Nussbaum RL, McNally EM. Assessment of the Diagnostic Yield of Combined Cardiomyopathy and Arrhythmia Genetic Testing. JAMA Cardiol. 2022 Sep 1;7(9):966-974. doi: 10.1001/jamacardio.2022.2455. PMID: 35947370; PMCID: PMC9366660. DNA Today Episode #175 Hereditary Cancer Variant Network with Brian Shirts. And our next episode will be featuring Connect My Variant’s founder Dr. Brian Shirts again! DNA Today Episode #288 CRISPR Cured Victoria Gray’s Sickle Cell: Part 1 DNA Today Episode #289 CRISPR Cured Victoria Gray’s Sickle Cell: Part 2 SecuriGene - a company that will bank your DNA. Jackson Laboratories and Northwestern Medicine’s Course “Implementing Cardiogenomics in Clinical Practice” American Heart Association Stay tuned for the next new episode of DNA Today next Friday! New episodes are released every Friday. In the meantime, you can binge over 300 other episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, streaming on the website, or any other podcast player by searching, “DNA Today”. Episodes since 2021 are also recorded with video which you can watch on our YouTube channel, this includes some episodes recorded at NBC Universal Stamford Studios. DNA Today is hosted and produced by Kira Dineen. Our video lead is Amanda Andreoli. Our social media lead is Kajal Patel. Our Outreach Intern is Liv Davidson. And our logo Graphic Designer is Ashlyn Enokian, MS, CGC. See what else we are up to on Instagram, X (Twitter), Threads, LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube and our website, DNAToday.com. Questions/inquiries can be sent to [email protected].
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About DNA Today: A Genetics Podcast

Discover New Advances in the world of genetics, from technology like CRISPR to rare diseases to new research. For over a decade, multi-award winning podcast ”DNA Today” has brought you the voices of leaders in genetics. Host Kira Dineen brings her genetics expertise to interview geneticists, genetic counselors, patient advocates, biotech leaders, researchers, and more. ***Best 2020, 2021, and 2022 Science and Medicine Podcast Award Winner*** Learn more (and stream all 300+ episodes) at DNAtoday.com. You can contact the show at [email protected].

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