Our interaction depends upon your concerns, which usually revolve around a specific diagnosis (medical name for a health condition).  We do not provide medical evaluation, diagnose conditions, or prescribe medication.

A first step is usually a telephone conversation.  During this conversation, you will identify your concerns.  We will schedule an appointment.  If you want to involve your insurance, you will be encouraged to check that the cost of our appointment will be reimbursed.  To determine if genetic counseling is a benefit of your insurance plan, call the eligibility or customer service telephone number on the back of your insurance card.  Ask specifically about genetic counseling, as provided by Dr. Robbin Palmer.  Genetic counseling is not genetic testing, although you may also want to ask about your insurer's policy on genetic testing.   Genetic counseling does not inevitably lead to genetic testing.  Genetic testing, if available, is your choice. 

If genetic counseling is not a covered benefit of your insurance plan,  or if you do not want to involve your insurer, the fee for genetic counseling is significantly discounted and due at the time of the appointment by cash or check.

If your concern is about hereditary cancer in you or your family, you may be sent a family history form that asks about the history of cancer in you and your family members:  children, siblings, parents, aunts and uncles, grandparents.  Information is also obtained on family members without cancer.  This information is needed to access you or your family's chance of a hereditary cancer (hereditary cancer risk assessment). 

A genetic counseling appointment is scheduled when you return this form.  Please return the form even if some of the requested information is not known.

Appointments are usually about one hour long, and are scheduled at your convenience, as much as possible.

During our appointment, we will usually discuss general  genetics briefly,  the hereditary contribution to the health condition that concerns you, risk assessment for you or your children, the options for managing this risk, your assessment of the magnitude of the risk, and information resources/support available to you.

Genetic counseling is nondirective.  The focus is on you, and what you want.