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Pharmacogenomics

A dated, sourced comparison of GeneSight and GenePGx: what each covers, the sample, price and insurance, and what neither can tell you.

By the GeneMatrix editorial teamUpdated 4 min read

A bedside table with an unlabeled bottle, a folded report, reading glasses and a glass of water.

In short

GeneSight is a pharmacogenomic test built around more than 60 mental-health medicines. It bills insurance, and its self-pay price is lower than GenePGx’s. GenePGx is one self-pay report covering everyday, pain and mental-health medicines, with a supplement view. If your plan pays for GeneSight, it may be the simpler route.

On this page
  1. Is GenePGx an alternative to GeneSight?
  2. GeneSight and GenePGx, side by side
  3. How much does GeneSight cost compared with GenePGx?
  4. When GeneSight may be the better route
  5. When GenePGx may suit you better
  6. What does the evidence say?
  7. What neither test can tell you
  8. What to do next

Is GenePGx an alternative to GeneSight?

It can be. Both are pharmacogenomic tests: they read genes that affect how your body processes medicines. They differ in what they cover, how you pay and how the report is laid out. Neither diagnoses a condition, and neither can say which medicine will work for you.[1]

Below, every GeneSight fact comes from GeneSight’s own website, as we read it on September 28, 2026, and is linked in the sources. Every GenePGx fact comes from this site.

GeneSight and GenePGx, side by side

GeneSight facts from genesight.com, read on September 28, 2026
ComparedGeneSight PsychotropicGenePGx
What it coversMore than 60 mental-health medicines[1]Everyday, pain and mental-health medicines, plus a supplement view
GenesIts website lists the genes on its report: processing genes such as CYP2D6 and CYP2C19, and response genes such as SLC6A4 and HTR2A[1]Checks selected known variants in 15 genes, plus CYP2D6 copy number, by genotyping. It tests genes named in CPIC prescribing guidelines for 56 medicines (checked September 29, 2026). See genotyping
How results are shownEach medicine in one of three groups: use as directed, moderate gene–drug interaction, or significant gene–drug interaction[1]A plain summary first, then four views that set out medicines by type
SampleA cheek swab, taken in a clinic or at home with a kit[1]A saliva sample, collected at home with the kit
Self-pay priceA reduced self-pay price, open to all patients, that is lower than $399[2]$399, paid when you order, for the whole report
InsuranceBills insurance, including Medicare and Medicaid, and contacts you before processing if your cost could be more than its self-pay price[2]Self-pay today. Insurance billing is coming soon.
What it can’t tell youIts results don’t give information on diagnosis, medication allergies, drug–drug interactions, or which medicines will work best[1]Not a diagnosis, and not whether a medicine will work for you

The supplement section is never billed to insurance.

How much does GeneSight cost compared with GenePGx?

If you pay yourself, GeneSight costs less. It offers a reduced self-pay price to all patients that is lower than GenePGx’s $399.[2] If you use insurance for GeneSight, your cost depends on your plan, and GeneSight says it will contact you before processing your test if your cost could be higher than its self-pay price.[2]

GenePGx is one self-pay price for the whole report, paid when you order. Insurance billing is coming soon.

When GeneSight may be the better route

  • Your clinician already offers it. Then it fits into care you already have.
  • Your plan pays for it. GeneSight bills insurance, including Medicare and Medicaid, so your cost depends on your plan.[2]
  • You only need mental-health medicines. GeneSight’s report is built around them.[1]
  • Price matters most. GeneSight’s self-pay price is lower than $399.[2]
  • You have Medicare, Medicaid or another government plan. GeneSight bills Medicare and Medicaid.[2] For GenePGx, please contact us before you order.

When GenePGx may suit you better

When you want more than mental-health medicines. One GenePGx report covers everyday and pain medicines as well as mental-health medicines, with a supplement view, for one self-pay price.

The supplement section is never billed to insurance.

Neither test picks a medicine. Each gives your prescriber one more piece of information.

What does the evidence say?

GeneSight has been studied in a large randomized trial, GUIDED, with 1,167 people with depression.[3] Its main measure, symptom improvement at week 8, wasn’t significantly different from usual care, while response and remission were significantly higher.[4]

Across 13 trials of different tests, test-guided antidepressant prescribing made remission modestly more likely. The tests read different genes and gave different advice, which the authors named as a source of uncertainty.[5] These results are averages from studies of other tests, not GenePGx, so they aren’t a promise about what any one test will do for you. GenePGx’s report sets out medicines with published pharmacogenomic guidance, such as CPIC guidelines, for the genes on its panel. Read how that guidance works.

What neither test can tell you

  • Whether a medicine will work for you. Both describe how you are likely to process medicines, not whether one will help.
  • Whether you have a condition. Neither is a diagnosis.
  • What to take. Choosing a medicine, and how much of it, stays with your prescriber.
  • Anything about medicines without published guidance. Guidance exists for some medicines, not all.

What to do next

Want more on the mental-health side? See the mental health DNA test page, or read what mental health DNA tests can and can’t tell you. To check a single medicine, use the Medication Check.

GeneSight and Myriad Genetics are registered trademarks of Myriad Genetics, Inc. and its subsidiaries.[1] This is an independent comparison: no affiliation with, or endorsement by, Myriad Genetics is implied. We name GeneSight only to compare the two tests, using facts from its website as of September 28, 2026. Please check genesight.com for current details.

Sources

  1. [1]GeneSight tests: Psychotropic and MTHFR (the process, the medications and the genes on the report). GeneSight (Myriad Genetics). Accessed .
  2. [2]Cost: insurance, the GeneSight Promise and the reduced self-pay option. GeneSight (Myriad Genetics). Accessed .
  3. [3]Clinical studies: GeneSight Psychotropic (GUIDED). GeneSight (Myriad Genetics). Accessed .
  4. [4]Impact of pharmacogenomics on clinical outcomes in major depressive disorder in the GUIDED trial: a large, patient- and rater-blinded, randomized, controlled study. Journal of Psychiatric Research, 2019. Accessed .
  5. [5]Pharmacogenomic testing and depressive symptom remission: a systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective, controlled clinical trials. Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics, 2022. Accessed .

How we write and source these pieces: our editorial policy.

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