Exploring the Growth and Challenges of Genetic Counselling: An Interview with Carrie Haverty, MS, CGC
Carrie Haverty, MS, CGC, the incoming president of the National Society of Genetic Counselors (NSGC), discusses the evolving role of genetic counselors, emphasizing personalized care, gene therapy advancements, and the need for multidisciplinary integration in healthcare.
Haverty, a seasoned genetic counselor, shares her journey from high-risk prenatal care to her current role as vice president of product management at Mirvie, where she leads the development of the Mirvie RNA platform. Her clinical experience has been instrumental in the development and commercialization of technologies at Counsyl, Myriad, Miroculus, and Mirvie. Haverty's leadership and expertise led to her selection as NSGC's president in 2026, replacing Sara Pirzadeh-Miller.
The 44th NSGC Annual Conference in Seattle, Washington, covered various topics, including professional growth, genomics, and ethical considerations in gene counseling. Haverty's incoming presidential address highlighted her vision for the field, addressing issues and opportunities for genetic counselors. She also participated in an exclusive interview with NeurologyLive®, offering insights into the current state of genetic counseling and gene therapy.
Haverty discussed the expanding role of genetic counselors in various specialties, emphasizing the importance of personalized and empathetic care. She addressed challenges such as patient reimbursement and healthcare system navigation, while also expressing excitement about the field's growth and the integration of genetic counselors into multidisciplinary care teams.
In the interview, Haverty highlighted the increasing expansion of targeted therapeutics and biopharma involvement in genetic testing, and the critical role of genetic counselors in informing families about treatment options and developing diagnostic tools. She emphasized the growing interest in gene therapy and the importance of understanding genetic testing, molecular characteristics, benefits, and risks.
Haverty also discussed the expanding role of genetic counselors in neurology, particularly in Alzheimer's research, where new treatments are emerging. She highlighted the importance of genetic counselors in advocating for patients with autism and the growing need for postmortem genetic testing. Additionally, she expressed enthusiasm for the field's rapid evolution, emphasizing the integration of new technology into patient-centered care across multiple specialties.
One of the biggest challenges, according to Haverty, is reimbursement. Genetic counselors are not yet recognized as healthcare providers by CMS, which limits their ability to bill independently. She is working to change this and has introduced a bill in Congress to recognize genetic counselors as healthcare providers, improving access and efficiency for Medicare beneficiaries.
Haverty also mentioned the introduction of a new CPT code for genetic counseling, 96041, and the importance of accelerating the transition period for payers and health systems to ensure improved access for patients.
In conclusion, Haverty emphasized the importance of multidisciplinary approaches in healthcare, encouraging other clinicians to incorporate genetic counselors into their care teams. She expressed excitement about the field's growth and the potential for genetic counseling to revolutionize precision medicine, ultimately improving patient care and outcomes.
