Turnaround Times — Planning the Calendar

Understanding how long genetic tests take—and how those timelines interact with IVF cycles, embryo banking, pregnancy planning, and insurance approvals—can prevent the delays that frustrate most patients. This guide focuses on what actually changes outcomes, budgets, and calendars so you can move forward with confidence.

What It Is

Turnaround Times — Planning the Calendar

• When results realistically come back (not just what a lab advertises).
• Where delays normally occur (ordering, paperwork, shipping, batching, analysis, reporting).
• How to sequence tests so you don’t pause a cycle unnecessarily.
• How upstream decisions—like panel size, carrier status, partner testing, or opting into reflex testing—affect downstream milestones such as starting stimulation, doing IUI/IVF, shipping embryos for PGT, or making pregnancy decisions.

In short: better calendar planning prevents “surprise waiting” and reduces stress.

Who It Helps

People who benefit most from clear turnaround-time planning include:

Good Fit Signals

• You’re coordinating testing with an IVF stimulation cycle or PGT-A/PGT-M.
• You have a tight window for work, travel, or menstrual cycle timing.
• A partner needs testing and results may change whether you proceed with certain treatments.
• You have insurance requiring prior authorization that could hold up ordering.
• You’re choosing between standard vs expanded panels and need to know if the extra detail will add weeks.

When Another Path May Be Better

• You already have known, actionable carrier status and don’t need expanded panels.
• A pregnancy is already far along and rapid results (e.g., STAT or targeted testing) are more appropriate.
• Your clinic has a fixed calendar (e.g., batch IVF cycles) where genetic testing timelines won’t change scheduling.

Step-by-Step — A Simple Timeline That Prevents Delays

1. Pre-Order Prep (1–5 days)

• Confirm which panel matters for your situation.
• Check insurance benefits before the clinic orders the test.
• Submit partner info if couples testing is needed.

2. Ordering + Authorization (2–14 days)

• PA delays are the #1 hidden time sink.
• Important: a clinic may “order” the test, but the lab won’t run it until PA is cleared.

3. Sample Collection + Shipping (1–7 days)

• Blood draws add scheduling variability.
• Some labs batch shipments on specific days.

4. Lab Processing (5–28 days)

• Small panels ≈ 5–10 days
• Expanded panels ≈ 10–21 days
• Whole-exome or reflex workflows ≈ 2–4+ weeks

5. Review + Genetic Counseling (1–10 days)

• Clinics often require a counseling session before releasing results.
• This step matters for cycle timing if results affect medication, embryo testing, or donor selections.

6. Downstream Actions (variable)

• If both partners are carriers → reflex testing or PGT-M design can add 2–10 weeks.
• If results are normal → you can start treatment promptly.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Prevents unnecessary cycle delays.
• Reduces stress by setting realistic expectations.
• Helps budget planning (tests + counseling).
• Enables better sequencing of embryo banking, PGT, and pregnancy planning.

Cons

• More planning upfront.
• Insurance steps can feel bureaucratic.
• Longer panels may stretch timelines without changing decisions.
• Clinics vary widely in how fast they release results.

Costs & Logistics

Typical Line Items

• Carrier screening panel
• Partner testing
• Reflex testing (if needed)
• Genetic counseling
• Sample collection fees (varies by lab/clinic)

Insurance Considerations

• Prior authorizations often required
• Some plans cover only basic panels
• Out-of-network labs can generate large surprise bills
• Counseling may be billed separately

Simple Tracking Checklist

• PA filed?
• PA approved?
• Sample collected?
• Lab received?
• Estimated report date?
• Counseling scheduled?

A two-minute tracking sheet prevents 80% of delays.

What Improves Outcomes

Materially changes results:

• Starting PA early
• Choosing the smallest necessary panel
• Testing both partners at the same time
• Scheduling counseling before results arrive
• Avoiding cycle start until you have results that could change the plan

Rarely changes outcomes:

• Ordering the largest possible panel “just in case”
• Double-checking with multiple labs
• Repeating testing within the same year
• Waiting for results that won’t affect your chosen path

Case Study — From Uncertainty to a Predictable Calendar

Situation:
A couple planning IVF with PGT-A also wanted carrier screening. They were worried the results would delay stimulation.

Approach:

• Clinic submitted PA while the couple scheduled bloodwork.
• Both partners tested together to avoid staged delays.
• Counseling was pre-booked for 2 weeks later (before results came out).
• Results arrived on day 11; counseling happened on day 14.
• Clear to start stimulation on cycle day 2 of the next month with no wasted cycles.

Outcome:
What could have become a 4–7 week delay turned into a seamless 2-week window.

Mistakes to Avoid

• Starting IVF stimulation before knowing if carrier results matter
  (especially with family-history red flags).
• Assuming labs test samples immediately — most batch.
• Skipping insurance checks leading to surprise bills.
• Ordering expanded panels without considering added turnaround time.
• Waiting for results before scheduling counseling.

FAQs

Q: Can I start IVF while waiting for results?

Ans : Only if carrier results cannot change your cycle decisions.

Q: Are published lab turnaround times accurate?

Ans : They tend to be optimistic by 20–40%.

Q: Do weekends or holidays matter?

Ans : Yes—expect delays around major holidays and year-end deductible transitions.

Q: What if only one partner’s results are delayed?

Ans : Hold decisions that require pair results (e.g., recessive conditions).

Q: Can I expedite testing?

Ans : Some labs offer STAT testing for an added fee but only for targeted panels.

Next Steps

• Free 15-min nurse consult
• Upload your labs
• Get a personalized cost breakdown for your case

Related Links

• Genetic testing carrier
• Intended Parents
• Become a Surrogate
• Fixed‑Cost Packages
• SART
• CDC ART
• ASRM