Pharmacogenomic testing for your loved one
MedExpress Long-Term Care Pharmacy is offering a simple cheek-swab test that shows how a resident’s body processes their medications — information their care team can use to prescribe more safely. For eligible residents there is no cost.
A Care Coordinator will call you back within one business day. Taking part is voluntary and free to decline.
What is PGx testing?
Pharmacogenomic testing — PGx for short — looks at how a person’s genes affect the way their body processes medication.
People break medicines down at different speeds. The same dose of the same drug can work well for one person, do very little for another, and cause side effects in a third. A PGx test gives the prescriber that information in advance, instead of finding it out by trial and error.
It is a one-time test. Genetic makeup does not change, so the results stay useful for the rest of a resident’s care.
Why does it matter?
Many long-term care residents take several medications at once. The more medications, the greater the chance that two of them interact, or that one is not being processed the way the prescriber expects.
PGx results help the care team reduce adverse drug reactions, choose medications that are more likely to work, and adjust doses with better information.
The results go to the resident’s own care team. They are added to the resident’s health record and used to inform prescribing decisions — the test itself does not change any medication.
What does the test involve?
- A simple cheek swab. No needles, no blood draw.
- It is collected by a trained member of staff at the facility and takes under two minutes.
- It is scheduled alongside a visit that is already planned, so it does not mean an extra trip or an extra appointment.
- The swab is analysed by a specialist pharmacogenomic laboratory, and the results are returned to the resident’s care team electronically.
Is it covered by Medicare?
For eligible residents, the test is processed under Medicare and there is no out-of-pocket cost to the resident or their family.
Eligibility is confirmed before any test is carried out. If a resident is not eligible, no test is conducted — unless the family chooses to pay privately, which costs between $299 and $349.
You will not be billed for anything as a result of giving consent on this page.
Frequently asked questions
What is PGx testing?
A genetic test using a simple cheek swab. It shows how a person’s genes affect the way they process medications, which helps their doctor make better prescribing decisions.
Is it a blood test?
No. It is a non-invasive cheek swab only. There are no needles and no blood draw.
Does Medicare cover it?
For eligible residents, yes — MedExpress processes the test under Medicare reimbursement, at no cost to the resident or the family. If a resident is not eligible, no test is carried out unless the family chooses to pay privately ($299–$349).
Who performs the test?
A trained member of staff at the facility collects the swab. It is analysed by a specialist pharmacogenomic clinical laboratory.
What happens with the results?
The results are shared with the resident’s care team to inform medication decisions, and are added to the resident’s electronic health record. They are handled under the same privacy protections as the rest of the record.
Is the test one-time?
Yes. Genetic makeup does not change, so this is normally a one-time test and the results stay useful over time.
Can I decline?
Absolutely. Taking part is entirely voluntary. If you decline, that decision is recorded straight away and we will not contact you about this program again during this campaign. It does not affect the resident’s care in any way.
What if I change my mind after consenting?
You can withdraw consent at any time before the test is carried out by contacting MedExpress directly.
Is my loved one’s information safe?
Yes. All information is handled under strict HIPAA privacy protections. This page verifies who you are before it shows you anything about a specific resident, and it does not display or store the resident’s medical information.
Who do I speak to if I have more questions?
A MedExpress Care Coordinator can talk it through with you. Use the “Request a callback” button on this page and a Coordinator will call you within one business day.
Ready to decide?
Giving consent takes about two minutes. We will ask you to confirm who you are before we show you anything about a specific resident.