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Color’s Family Testing Program

If an individual has a mutation, there is a 50% chance that each of their first-degree relatives has it too. Color offers a $50 discount for genetic testing to parents, siblings, and adult children of people with mutations*.

*Offer applies only if the mutation in your family is covered by a Color
test currently being offered.

Why testing relatives is important

Most mutations are inherited from your mother or your father. This means that your relatives on that side of the family may also have the same mutation. Additionally, each of your siblings and each of your children has a 50% chance of inheriting this mutation.

Knowing that you have a mutation allows you and your healthcare provider to create a personalized screening plan, which increases the chance of early detection.

Learning that you haven’t inherited a family mutation is useful information, as well, as it means your children will not inherit it.

How it works

Woman sitting on a coach holding a light blue Color test kit

01

Provide your positive test results, or those of your relative.

This allows us to verify if the mutation in your family is covered by Color. We accept results from both Color and other clinical labs. You can also submit results from your parent, sibling, or adult child.

Color test kit, paper with DNA resulst, cup of coffee and notebook all on a desk

02

Tell us who your relatives are.

Color’s Family Testing Program extends to biological parents, brothers, sisters, and adult children of those who have tested positive for a mutation covered by Color.

Woman and man reading a Color brochure together

03

You and your relatives are notified.

After your application has been approved, the relatives you have listed will receive a special code they can use to purchase the discounted Color test.

Two people opening a Color test kit

04

Relatives purchase their Color test online.

All they need to do is enter their special code, physician information and shipping address. It’s fast, simple, and we’ll ship the kit right to their home.

How to provide a sample

Video thumbnail of someone opening a self-swab package

Common Questions

What is the risk to my relatives if I have a mutation?

Most mutations are inherited from one of your parents. This means that your relatives on that side of the family may also have the same mutation. Additionally, each of your siblings and each of your children has a 50% chance of inheriting this mutation.

Can I use Color to confirm that I have a mutation?

Yes, we will confirm mutations from any clinical grade lab (as long as the mutation is in our reportable range). We will also confirm mutations, including in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, from a direct to consumer test (like 23andme) or a mutation detected by third party analysis of raw data (like Promethease).

Who will see the results I share with Color?

A Color employee will evaluate the results you provide to assess your eligibility for Color’s Family Testing Program. We take your privacy very seriously and only collect the information that is needed to provide you with a high-quality experience. Color voluntarily complies with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) requirements regarding protected health information.

If I receive discounted testing based on a family member’s results, will they be able to see mine?

Your results are available to you and the healthcare provider who ordered your test, as well as any additional providers you designated. Your results will not be sent by Color to your family member, insurance company, employer, or any other healthcare provider without your explicit request.

Why are you only covering first-degree relatives?

If an individual has a mutation, there is a 50% chance that each of their parents, siblings, and children also has the same mutation. To increase access to this important information for the people who are most likely to benefit, Color’s Family Testing Program offers genetic testing to first-degree relatives for $249. 

Are half-siblings covered?

First-degree relatives include parents, full siblings, and children. Your half-siblings on the side of your family from which you inherited the mutation can also apply for the Color Family Testing Program separately.

Why is it important for relatives of mutation carriers to be tested?

Knowing that you have a mutation allows you and your healthcare provider to create a personalized screening plan, which increases the chance of early detection. Learning that you haven’t inherited a family mutation is useful information as well, as it means your children will not inherit it.

What should I do if I don’t have a copy of my results?

If you do not have a copy of your results, you can request them from your healthcare provider who ordered your testing or the lab that conducted it.

Why is a copy of the test results needed?

When reviewing provided results, we will check to make sure the mutation you or your relative has is within Color’s reportable range. Also, we check to make sure the mutation is classified by Color as pathogenic or likely pathogenic. If you used Color for your testing, you will not need to provide your results, as we already have them.

Which Color test will I or my relative receive?

If you authorize an independent physician belonging to an external network to order Color, you will receive Color Extended. If your own physician ordered Color, they will choose the test type that is appropriate for you. Learn more about Color’s test types.

In the unlikely event that Color classifies your family’s mutation differently than the lab that did the original testing, we will contact you to discuss if you’d like to cancel your Color test for a full refund.

If I used Color for my testing, do I need to provide my results again?

If your genetic testing was done by Color, we already have a copy of your results. Your application process will be expedited.

Family Testing Program

Still have questions?

Please send any additional questions to: