
Frequently Asked Questions
General
What is AvertD?
AvertD is a clinically validated genetic test that helps patients and their doctors better understand their genetic risk for developing Opioid Use Disorder (OUD), also known as opioid addiction. When a first prescription of oral opioids is being considered to treat acute pain (pain expected to last <30 days), AvertD provides personalized genetic risk information for OUD to physicians and their patients to support more informed decision-making about acute pain management.
When should AvertD be used?
AvertD is a physician-ordered test intended for use prior to a first prescription of oral opioids to treat acute pain. AvertD test results provide personalized genetic risk information for Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) to support more informed decision-making when short-term use of prescription oral opioids is being considered, such as after elective surgeries like orthopedic surgery and dental procedures.
Because genetics is only one of many known factors associated with increased risk for OUD, AvertD test results should always be used in conjunction with a complete clinical evaluation to determine the appropriateness of prescription oral opioids for acute pain management.
Who might benefit from AvertD?
Patients scheduled for a procedure where oral opioids may be prescribed to manage acute pain (pain expected to last <30 days) should consider taking the AvertD test prior to their procedure. Examples include elective surgeries like a knee replacement, dental procedures like a wisdom tooth removal, or a childbirth-related surgery such as a c-section. Patients and their doctors may benefit from better understanding their genetic risk for opioid addiction prior to these procedures to better inform their decisions about how to manage acute pain after.
How AvertD Works
How does AvertD work?
Using a simple cheek swab sample, AvertD analyzes 15 genetic markers involved in the brain reward pathways associated with addiction to identify if a patient may have an elevated genetic risk for Opioid Use Disorder (OUD). The AvertD result report will identify whether the patient has an Elevated Genetic Risk or a Non-Elevated Genetic Risk. This report will be made available to the ordering healthcare provider via a secure online portal after the cheek swab is received and processed at our CLIA-certified, CAP-accredited lab.
Who collects the DNA sample and how?
The DNA sample is collected via a simple cheek swab by a healthcare professional using our DNA collection kit. The collection kit will include detailed instructions on how to collect, package, and ship the sample back to SOLVD Health at no charge.
How do I send the sample back?
The collection kit will include a return shipping label and detailed instructions on how to collect, package, and ship the sample back to SOLVD Health at no charge.
What is being tested?
AvertD analyzes 15 genetic markers involved in the brain reward pathways associated with addiction to identify if a patient may have an elevated genetic risk for Opioid Use Disorder (OUD). A gene is a portion of DNA that determines a certain trait. An allele is a specific form of a gene. Alleles are responsible for the variations in which a given trait can be expressed. Below are the 15 genetic markers analyzed by AvertD.
Allele | Gene Name | rs Number | Relative Importance |
5-HTR2A | Serotonin 2A Receptor | rs7997012 | 100% |
ABCB1 | ATP Binding Cassette Transporter 1 (ABCB1) | rs1045642 | 73.02% |
GAL | Galanin | rs948854 | 72.85% |
DORA | Delta Opioid Receptor | rs2236861 | 46.82% |
COMT | Catechol-O-Methyltransferase | rs4680 | 36.05% |
GABA | Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA) | rs211014 | 32.53% |
DRD1 | Dopamine D1 Receptor | rs4532 | 30.96% |
DAT1 | Dopamine Transporter | rs6347 | 29.36% |
OPRM1 | Mu Opioid Receptor | rs1799971 | 27.72% |
DBH | Dopamine Beta Hydroxylase | rs1611115 | 26.69% |
DRD2 | Dopamine D2 Receptor | rs1800497 | 22.57% |
MTHFR | Methylene Tetrahydrofolate Reductase | rs1801133 | 22.03% |
OPRK1 | Kappa Opioid Receptor | rs1051660 | 18.09% |
DRD4 | Dopamine D4 Receptor | rs3758653 | 12.44% |
MUOR | Mu Opioid Receptor | rs9479757 | 7.21% |
How accurate is the test?
AvertD was clinically validated through a blinded, multi-center, longitudinal study evaluating patients after their initial exposure to prescription oral opioids for 4 to 30 days (n=385). They were evaluated at least one year post-exposure. The study design allowed for random representative sampling mirroring adults in the U.S. prescribed oral opioids.
In the study, AvertD demonstrated 82% sensitivity (how often the test indicated Elevated Genetic Risk in patients who developed OUD) and 80% specificity (how often the test indicated Non-Elevated Genetic Risk in patients who did not develop OUD).1 There were no statistically significant differences in clinical performance observed based on gender, age, length of follow-up from opioid exposure, or ethnicity. In addition, patients with an Elevated Genetic Risk were shown to be 18x more likely to develop OUD than patients with a Non-Elevated Genetic Risk.1
AvertD Test Result
What type of result will I get?
The AvertD result report will identify the patient as having either an Elevated Genetic Risk or Non-Elevated Genetic Risk.
How soon is the result report ready?
The AvertD result report will be made available to the ordering provider within 3 to 5 business days of the sample being received at our lab, often sooner.
Who gives the test result to the patient?
When the AvertD result report is ready, the ordering healthcare provider will receive an email notification from SOLVD Health. This email notification will prompt them to sign in to SOLVD Health’s secure provider portal to view and print the result report, which they can then share and review with their patient.
What does an Elevated Genetic Risk mean?
Based on the clinical validation study, patients with an Elevated Genetic Risk are 18x more likely to develop Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) than patients with a Non-Elevated Genetic Risk.1 If a patient is identified as having an Elevated Genetic Risk, the provider and the patient may wish to explore alternative pain management options to minimize or avoid use of opioids. An Elevated Genetic Risk result does not mean you currently have or will develop OUD.
Because genetics is only one of many known factors associated with increased risk for OUD, the AvertD result report should always be used in conjunction with a complete clinical evaluation to determine the appropriateness of oral opioids in an acute pain management plan.
To view Clinical Guidance for Selected Common Acute Pain Conditions from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), please visit https://www.cdc.gov/acute-pain/index.html.
What does a Non-Elevated Genetic Risk mean?
Based on the clinical validation study, patients with a Non-Elevated Genetic Risk are 18x less likely to develop OUD than patients with an Elevated Genetic Risk.1 If a patient is identified as having a Non-Elevated Genetic Risk, existing federal, state, and medical specialty guidelines should still be followed to ensure safe and effective opioid prescribing. A Non-Elevated Genetic Risk result does not mean you do not currently have OUD or that you will not develop OUD.
Because genetics is only one of many known factors associated with increased risk for OUD, the AvertD result report should always be used in conjunction with a complete clinical evaluation to determine the appropriateness of oral opioids in an acute pain management plan.
To view Clinical Guidance for Selected Common Acute Pain Conditions from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), please visit https://www.cdc.gov/acute-pain/index.html.
I’ve received my result. Now what?
You and your healthcare provider will review your result and discuss what your result means for your acute pain management plan. Together, you will decide what your acute pain management plan will be. This plan may or may not include prescription oral opioids. If you are prescribed oral opioids, be sure to only take them as prescribed by your doctor. If you have leftover pills, you can learn how to dispose of them properly and safely by visiting https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/where-and-how-dispose-unused-medicines.
Billing & Insurance
How much does AvertD cost?
Our goal is to offer patients the lowest cost option available to them. We are working diligently to ensure AvertD is covered by most insurance companies. Depending on the patient’s insurance, their maximum out-of-pocket cost may vary. If coverage is denied or only part of the test is covered, SOLVD Health may appeal the decision on behalf of the patient. For details about coverage, please contact the patient’s insurance company. If the patient’s insurance does not pay for the test, the patient will be billed directly for $199.
Is this test covered by insurance?
Depending on the patient’s insurance, their maximum out-of-pocket cost may vary. If coverage is denied or only part of the test is covered, SOLVD Health may appeal the decision on behalf of the patient. For details about coverage, please contact the patient’s insurance company. If the patient’s insurance does not pay for the test, the patient will be billed directly for $199.
Who bills for this test (SOLVD Health or the practice)?
SOLVD Health will submit the claim to the patient’s insurance.
Laboratory
Where can I find your lab license numbers, accreditations, and/or certifications?
All lab services are provided by Prescient Lab Services on behalf of SOLVD Health. Prescient Lab Services is located at 1600 Faraday Ave, Ste 200, Carlsbad, CA 92008 and the lab director is Keri Donaldson, MD.
- CLIA# 05D2051580
- CAP# 7196892
- California License: CDF 00343474
- Pennsylvania Permit: 33739
- Rhode Island License: LCO01429
Contacting SOLVD Health
Who do I contact if I or my patient have questions?
You can reach our customer service team at 1-760-598-1223 or customerservice@solvdhealth.com.
References
1 Donaldson K, Cardamone D, Genovese M, Garbely J, Demers L. Clinical Performance of a Gene-Based Machine Learning Classifier in Assessing Risk of Developing OUD in Subjects Taking Oral Opioids: A Prospective Observational Study. Ann Clin Lab Sci. 2021 Jul;51(4):451-460. PMID: 34452883.