Personalized Medication Decisions, Guided by Your Genetics
Pharmacogenomic (PGx) testing is available only for established Indiana Health Group patients who are actively receiving medication management from one of our psychiatric providers.
Every patient is different, and genetic testing is not necessary for everyone. When clinically appropriate, your Indiana Health Group medication provider may recommend pharmacogenomic testing based on your symptoms, treatment history, medication response, and individual treatment goals.
For some individuals, the results may provide additional information about how their body processes certain psychiatric medications, helping guide more personalized medication decisions.
Our Approach
Indiana Health Group utilizes several leading pharmacogenomic testing laboratories, including GeneSight®, Genomind®, and Mira Precision®, when clinically appropriate. Your psychiatric provider will determine whether genetic testing may be beneficial and, if so, which testing platform is most appropriate based on your individual treatment needs and clinical circumstances.
Because each patient’s history is unique, the most appropriate testing option may vary. Your provider will discuss the purpose of the test, what information it may provide, and whether testing is appropriate as part of your personalized treatment plan.
Who Is Eligible?
Pharmacogenomic testing is not a standalone service and is not appropriate for every patient.
Testing may be considered for established Indiana Health Group medication management patients when clinically appropriate. Your psychiatric provider will determine whether genetic testing may be beneficial based on your symptoms, medication history, treatment response, and overall clinical picture.
Patients who are not currently receiving medication management at Indiana Health Group will first need to establish care with one of our psychiatric providers before genetic testing can be considered.
What Is Pharmacogenomic Testing?
Pharmacogenomic testing looks at specific genes that influence how your body metabolizes certain medications. The results can help your provider understand whether you may process some medications faster or slower than average or whether certain medications may be more likely to cause side effects.
While the test does not diagnose mental health conditions or predict which medication will work perfectly, it can provide valuable information that supports personalized treatment planning.
Unlike genetic tests that look for inherited diseases or ancestry, pharmacogenomic testing focuses specifically on how your genes may influence your response to certain medications.
When Might Genetic Testing Be Helpful?
Your provider may recommend pharmacogenomic testing if you:
- Have tried several medications without adequate improvement
- Experience significant medication side effects
- Have unusual reactions to medications
- Require complex medication management
- Have concerns about how your body processes medications
- Would benefit from additional information to guide treatment decisions
- Starting medication after previous treatment difficulties
- Family history of unusual medication responses
Not every patient needs genetic testing. Your provider will discuss whether it may be appropriate based on your medical history and treatment goals.
Is Genetic Testing Right for You?
The decision to order pharmacogenomic testing is individualized. Your medication provider will consider your symptoms, diagnosis, previous medication history, treatment goals, medical history, and whether the results are likely to provide useful information before recommending testing.
What Can the Test Tell Us?
Depending on the test performed, pharmacogenomic testing may provide information about:
- How your body metabolizes certain antidepressants
- ADHD medications
- Some antipsychotic medications
- Certain mood stabilizers
- Other commonly prescribed psychiatric medications
Results may help identify medications that:
- May require dosage adjustments
- May be more likely to cause side effects
- May warrant closer monitoring
Genetic testing is one piece of the treatment puzzle and is always interpreted alongside your symptoms, medical history, current medications, and clinical evaluation.
What the Test Cannot Do
It’s important to understand that pharmacogenomic testing does not:
- Diagnose depression, anxiety, ADHD, or other mental health conditions
- Predict whether a medication will definitely work
- Replace a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation
- Eliminate the need for follow-up medication adjustments
Your provider uses the results as one tool among many when developing your treatment plan.
What to Expect
- Your provider determines whether testing is appropriate.
- A simple cheek swab or saliva sample is collected.
- The sample is sent to a specialized laboratory.
- Results are typically available within several days to a few weeks, depending on the laboratory.
- Your provider reviews the results with you and discusses whether any treatment changes are recommended.
Why Choose Indiana Health Group?
Unlike companies that offer direct-to-consumer genetic testing or one-time medication consultations, Indiana Health Group incorporates pharmacogenomic testing into an ongoing relationship with your psychiatric provider.
Our providers can:
- Determine whether testing is appropriate
- Select the most appropriate testing platform (GeneSight®, Genomind®, or Mira Precision®)
- Interpret your results in the context of your medical and psychiatric history
- Discuss recommendations with you in person or through telehealth
- Continue monitoring your progress and adjust treatment over time
Medication decisions are based on the complete clinical picture—not genetics alone.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Pharmacogenomic testing is available only to patients who are established with an Indiana Health Group psychiatric medication management provider. The testing is ordered and interpreted as part of your ongoing psychiatric care.Can I schedule genetic testing without seeing one of your providers?
No. We do not provide pharmacogenomic testing as a standalone service. Testing is only offered when it is clinically appropriate as part of ongoing medication management with one of our psychiatric providers.Can my primary care provider refer me just for testing?
No. Most patients do not require pharmacogenomic testing. Your provider will determine whether it may be beneficial based on your treatment history.Is genetic testing recommended for everyone?
Indiana Health Group utilizes several leading pharmacogenomic testing laboratories, including GeneSight®, Genomind®, and Mira Precision®. Your medication provider will determine whether testing is appropriate and select the laboratory that best fits your individual clinical needs.Which genetic testing company do you use?
Coverage varies by insurance plan and the testing laboratory. Our office can discuss potential costs and insurance considerations before testing is performed.Does insurance cover the test?
Not exactly. The results help identify how your body may process certain medications, but they cannot predict with certainty which medication will work best.Will the test tell me which medication is best?
Your genetics do not change, so the results generally only need to be obtained once.How long do the results last?
No. Most pharmacogenomic tests use a simple cheek swab or saliva sample.Is the test painful?
Ready to Take the Next Step?
Whether you’re seeking therapy, medication management, or psychological testing, our team is here to help.