Natera May Overcharge For Panorama and Other Genetic Tests, Customers Claim

The cell-free DNA testing company Natera may misleadingly promise low test costs to consumers, only to turn around and charge much higher prices afterwards.

Fertility clinics, cancer centers, and other healthcare providers use Natera testing to assess health factors. Results from these tests inform doctors if patients are at risk for cancers, cannot have children easily, or carry certain genetic markers. Unfortunately, these tests may carry unexpected costs for consumers.

Over the past few years, numerous patients took to online forums such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB) website to complain about surprise medical billing from Natera. Typically, surprise medical bills occur because insurance providers classify a doctor or specialist as “out of network” despite working at an in-network location. However, consumers claim that Natera surprise billing stems from misleading pricing representations by the company.

One BBB review from November 2020 claims that Natera promised carrier and genetic testing would cost between $150 to $200 if the consumer’s insurance refused to cover it. The review notes that on Natera’s website testing prices range from $99 to $149. Instead of these reasonable costs, Natera allegedly charged the reviewer’s insurance nearly $15,000 for a blood test.

According to the reviewer, their experience resulted from “borderline illegal billing practices.” Allegedly, these practices support a scheme which uses “exorbitant” invoices to convince patients to pay a few hundred dollars out of pocket to settle the bill.

Unfortunately, this reviewer’s experience is not unique, as evidenced by the many BBB reviews detailing the same issue.

In late July 2020, another consumer left a similar review on Natera’s BBB profile regarding their and their spouse’s experiences with the company’s testing. The couple allegedly had genetic testing done through their fertility clinic and claim they were told the tests would cost only $200 each in out-of-pocket costs.

According to the review, the couple’s insurers each received bills for over $14,000 — far above the $200 estimated costs. As a result of the exorbitant invoices, the couple allegedly faces bills of up to $7,000 from their insurance companies.

Consumers have also left negative Natera reviews on websites such as Yelp. In March, one reviewer claimed that they received two “fraudulent bills” from Natera. Instead of costing $100, the reviewer allegedly received a bill for $1,590, or $249 if paid within 30 days. Later on, Natera tried to double this bill after the blood had to be redrawn, according to the reviewer. Although this issue was later resolved, the reviewer says her experience was “disappointing to say the least” and that they “wouldn’t recommend [Natera] to anyone.”

Congress banned surprise medical bills as part of its $900 billion stimulus package passed in December 2020, meant to protect patients who are forced to use out-of-network providers.

Filing a Natera Lawsuit

If your doctor ordered Natera testing for you which resulted in unexpected costs, you may be able to take action. Misleading promises about test prices could translate to legal liability. As a result, Natera could be held accountable for thousands of dollars in unexpected medical bills.

Filing a lawsuit can be a daunting prospect, so Top Class Actions has laid the groundwork for you by connecting you with an experienced attorney. Consulting an attorney can help you determine if you have a claim, navigate the complexities of litigation, and maximize your potential compensation.