Modal Nova launches $399 genetic tests for autism, short stature

Modal Nova has introduced self-pay whole exome sequencing starting at $399 for children with autism spectrum disorder, neurodevelopmental disorders and unexplained short stature. The company says the physician-ordered tests are designed to give families faster access when insurance is unavailable or too costly, with reports and optional genetic counseling included.

Why it matters: - Modal Nova is targeting families who face insurance denials, long approval processes or high out-of-pocket costs for genetic testing. - The launch could make it easier for pediatricians and parents to get an earlier genetic explanation for autism-related conditions or unexplained short stature. - Genetic findings can affect care planning, monitoring and, in some cases, treatment discussions.

What happened: - Modal Nova launched NovaNeuro for autism and related neurodevelopmental conditions and NovaGrowth for unexplained short height. - Whole exome sequencing starts at $399 plus shipping. - Whole genome sequencing is also available. - The service is physician-ordered and self-pay. - Testing is performed through a CLIA-certified, CAP-accredited laboratory. - The announcement was made Sept. 17, 2026, in San Francisco.

The details: - NovaNeuro is designed for children with autism spectrum disorder and neurodevelopmental disorders. - NovaGrowth is designed for children with idiopathic short stature, also called unexplained short height. - Autism can appear alongside developmental delay, speech delay, intellectual disability, seizures or unusual physical features. - Short stature can also come with differences in facial features, body proportions, bone development or developmental delay. - Modal Nova says identifying a genetic cause may help explain a child’s symptoms and support medical monitoring. - For some genetic findings, results may inform conversations about growth hormone treatment. - Current guidelines and expert recommendations support genetic testing for many children with neurodevelopmental disorders, autism spectrum disorder or unexplained short stature, depending on clinical presentation. - Modal Nova manually reviews variants of uncertain significance together with the child’s symptom history. - The company says that process can highlight potentially important uncertain findings with supporting evidence for physicians. - Each family receives a clinical report written for pediatricians and primary care teams. - Families also receive a genetic counselor-written summary that explains the results in plain language. - Additional genetic counseling is available for $159 through an independent provider. - Counseling can address result interpretation, possible risk to other family members, family planning and future reproductive choices. - NovaNeuro and NovaGrowth are available internationally in selected countries. - Modal Nova directs families to contact the company for country-specific availability. - The company says many families want reliable, affordable and clinically useful testing but face barriers to access and interpretation. - Modal Nova says it aims to make genomic testing easier to access and to turn complex findings into practical information for families and pediatricians. - For more information, visit the company’s announcement.

Between the lines: - The $399 starting price is positioned as a lower-barrier entry point for families who might otherwise skip testing. - The combination of physician ordering, curated reports and optional counseling suggests Modal Nova is trying to serve both clinicians and parents, not just genetics specialists. - The focus on uncertain variants reflects a broader challenge in genomics: getting useful answers without overwhelming families with ambiguous results.

What's next: - Families and clinicians can now order the tests through Modal Nova. - International availability may expand beyond the currently selected countries. - Test results will still need interpretation in the context of a child’s medical and family history. - Negative results do not rule out a genetic cause, and some variants may remain uncertain as research evolves.