Precision Medicine Solutions to Give You Insight into Your Disease

Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas. The pancreas is an organ located behind your stomach that helps digest food and keeps your blood sugar levels normal. Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas that leads to severe pain and other disabling problems.

The disease has several different causes that can include your genetics, gallstones, high levels of fat in the blood and things you are exposed to from the environment, including medications, alcohol and smoking. These different causes sometimes need very different treatments. PancreasDx^® can identify factors that may be contributing to your disease. This information can help your healthcare team choose the best approach to your medical care, including treatment options, and help predict possible complications. 

PancreasDx^® uses information from genetic testing, your health records, and environmental exposures to provide a personalized guide for your care. Our goal is to minimize disease effects and maximize health and quality of life. Our genetic test results can also help you understand the risk of pancreatitis for your relatives.

Ordering PancreasDx^® PancreasDx^® is ordered by your doctor or care provider. After the order is placed, you will receive an email invitation to register for access to Ariel’s patient portal. 

Patient Registration In the patient portal, you will be asked to complete your account registration and consent to testing and standard billing processes with your insurance. Once this is complete, you have the opportunity to answer some questions about your symptoms, your health history and whether anyone else in your family has similar symptoms. 

Billing and Insurance Once your account is registered, Ariel will contact your insurance to discuss your specific plan benefits and any potential out-of-pocket expenses. 

DNA Collection After registration, Ariel will ship a DNA collection kit to your home for sample collection. Our painless collection process collects cells using a large Q-tip (buccal swab), swiped across the inside of your cheek – each cell contains your DNA, which Ariel then uses for genetic analysis. Ariel includes a pre-paid padded envelope for you to return your sample directly through the mail.

Final Report Within 2-4 weeks of your sample arriving at our lab, your doctor will receive your PancreasDx^® report and be able to share it with you, in person or through the secure Ariel website. Log in to see your results and access tools for help, questions or for more information. 

Extra Help Ariel provides access to trained genetic counselors who can help you understand the test, the need for the test, and what it means for you and your family.

Anyone who has had an attack of acute pancreatitis, especially if they have had more than one attack. In addition, anyone who has signs or symptoms of pancreatic disease such as abdominal pain after eating, chronic diarrhea, abnormal findings on a CT or MRI scan, or an abnormal laboratory test linked to the pancreas. An early evaluation may possibly prevent lengthy and costly evaluations, delayed diagnosis and more complications.

PancreasDx^® uses some of the highest quality next-generation sequencing on the market, and our laboratory is CLIA-certified, which ensures quality clinical laboratory testing.

The security of your medical and genetic information is our priority. Ariel’s online portal meets or exceeds the highest regulations for health information privacy and security.

Furthermore, national and state laws exist to protect patient health information, which includes genetic information.

PancreasDx^® analyzes genes that are related to pancreatitis and its complications, including PRSS1-2,  SPINK1, CFTR, CPA1, CASR, CEL, CLDN2, CTRC, GGT1, PRSS3, SBDS, SLC26A9 and UBR1.

If appropriate, your clinician can order an additional gene panel related to how your body handles fats and cholesterol in your blood that leads to an increased genetic risk of pancreatitis: 

• ArielDx^® Lipids is a panel of genes related to increased levels of fat in the blood. Some individuals have an inherited predisposition to these conditions, which is one of the causes of pancreatitis.
  • Genes tested include APOA5, APOB, APOC2, FABP4, LPL and PPARG

Don’t hesitate to reach out to Ariel, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. ET at (844) 692-7435 or via info@arielmedicine.com. General information on pancreatic diseases is available through Ariel’s Partner, the National Pancreas Foundation and www.pancreas.org.

Ariel accepts all insurance plans.  As a new provider, we are not considered an in-network provider with all insurance plans.  While the organization continues to grow, Ariel will work towards establishing in-network status.  

The Ariel team follows the process below:

1.  When your physician orders PancreasDx^®, you will receive a ‘Welcome’ email with a link to Ariel’s secure patient portal to register.  During registration, you will be asked to provide your insurance information.

2.  The Ariel team will contact your insurance provider to verify eligibility and benefits to assess potential out-of-pocket costs.  It is important to note that initial determinations from your insurance are subject to change, based on your clinical record and the discretion of the insurer.  

3.  Ariel’s billing team will contact you by phone to discuss benefits findings and any potential financial responsibility (i.e. co-pay, co-insurance, deductible).  Ariel works with your insurance directly through the claims and appeals process.  Our team will exhaust all efforts to obtain payment from your insurance plan to reduce or eliminate your financial responsibility for the service.