Provider Frequently Asked Questions
Answers for physicians and care teams on ordering the HelioLiver LDT, sample requirements, interpreting results, the science behind the test, billing, and privacy.
Answers for Physicians & Care Teams
From ordering kits to interpreting an abnormal result, this page gathers the questions providers ask most about the HelioLiver LDT — with all clinical, billing, and privacy details kept exactly as provided.
The questions below are grouped into easy-to-navigate categories — Getting the Test, About the Test, The Science Behind HelioLiver LDT, Billing, and Privacy & Security — so you can jump straight to what your practice needs.
Getting the Test
How to order kits, sample requirements, patient preparation, and result turnaround.
How do I get the HelioLiver LDT kit?
To receive a HelioLiver LDT kit, fill out our kit order form and include the number of kits you’d like to order. Our team will follow up with you for any additional information.
How much blood does the HelioLiver LDT require?
The HelioLiver LDT requires 2 x 10 mL whole blood samples and 1 x 8.5 mL serum sample.
How should patients prepare for the test?
There are no special preparation requirements for the HelioLiver LDT.
When will my patient’s results be ready?
Results are available in 10 to 14 days.
Sample requirements: 2 x 10 mL whole blood and 1 x 8.5 mL serum, with no special patient preparation. Results are available in 10 to 14 days. To request kits, fill out our kit order form.
About the Test
What the HelioLiver LDT is, who it’s for, and how to interpret results.
What is the HelioLiver LDT?
A simple blood test that reads cell-free DNA (cfDNA) methylation patterns alongside protein tumour markers to identify early-stage HCC.
Who is the HelioLiver LDT for?
The HelioLiver LDT is designed for patients at risk for HCC, such as those with cirrhosis. Risk factors for cirrhosis include chronic hepatitis B or hepatitis C, excessive alcohol use, and fatty liver disease (MASLD/NAFLD). Less-prevalent conditions, such as hereditary hemochromatosis, primary biliary cholangitis (PBC), and Wilson’s disease, are also associated with HCC development.
What does it mean if my patient’s test result is “abnormal”?
An “abnormal” result indicates a higher likelihood that HCC is present in the patient’s sample. It is not a diagnosis — HelioLiver is a surveillance tool, not an absolute diagnostic. Follow-up imaging, such as an MRI or CT scan, is recommended to confirm a diagnosis.
What does it mean if my patient’s test result is “normal”?
A “normal” result indicates a low likelihood of HCC in the patient’s sample. A follow-up visit in six months is recommended.
Why does my patient need additional testing if their result is “abnormal”?
According to AASLD guidelines, abnormalities may be caused by something other than HCC, so follow-up imaging, such as an MRI or CT scan, is needed to confirm whether HCC is present.
Why does my patient need to repeat the HelioLiver LDT even if their result is normal?
The HelioLiver LDT checks for signs of liver cancer at the time of the blood draw and is recommended for patients at high risk. Given the nature of liver cancer, routine follow-up testing is recommended to ensure continual surveillance.
The Science Behind HelioLiver LDT
Cell-free DNA, methylation patterns, and the AI behind early cancer detection.
What is cell-free (cf) DNA?
The HelioLiver LDT analyses the methylation patterns in the patient’s sample against cancer-specific markers validated to indicate the presence of HCC. Cell-free DNA is DNA released into the blood circulation from both normal and cancer cells. cfDNA is also used in detecting Down syndrome and determining the sex and Rhesus (Rh) factor status of a fetus.
What is DNA methylation?
DNA methylation is a process cells use to control gene expression. To learn more about how Helio Genomics analyses cell-free methylation patterns in a patient’s sample to detect cancer, watch this video.
What do DNA methylation patterns tell us?
Methylation patterns of cfDNA carry rich information about recent cell-death events in the body, which can include the earliest signs of cancer development. These patterns can be compared against cancer-specific DNA methylation markers to indicate the presence of cancer cells in the sample.
Rather than investigating one or a few genetic changes found only in cancer-derived DNA, we use artificial intelligence to examine the whole spectrum, length, variation, and position, to infer whether the pattern is cancerous.
Billing
Payment options, insurance, and support so cost is not a barrier to testing.
Who should my patient talk to about billing?
All billing questions are handled directly by HelioLiver. Our friendly, experienced staff will walk your patient through the billing process. For any billing questions, please have your patient contact us at info@heliogenomics.com.
What are my patient’s payment options?
We accept three types of payment: insurance, institutional billing, and patient self-pay.
How much does the HelioLiver LDT cost?
For current pricing and payment options, please reach out to info@heliogenomics.com.
Does the HelioLiver LDT take insurance?
We accept all commercial and federal insurances and are in-network with most major commercial payers. For more information, please email info@heliogenomics.com.
What happens to my patients who do not have insurance?
We offer an affordable self-pay cash rate for patients without insurance, and we’ll work with them so that cost is not a barrier to testing. For more information, please email info@heliogenomics.com.
What if my patient can’t afford this test?
We’re committed to helping all patients get the care they need. Our Compassionate Care Program is for patients who are uninsured or concerned about their ability to pay for the HelioLiver LDT. For more information, please have your patient contact us at info@heliogenomics.com.
All billing is handled directly by HelioLiver. Our staff can walk your patients through insurance, institutional billing, self-pay, and our Compassionate Care Program. For any billing questions, contact info@heliogenomics.com.
Privacy & Security
How we protect personal health data and who can access your patient’s results.
How is my patient’s privacy protected?
We know how sensitive personal health data is, which is why we treat it with the utmost care and responsibility. For more information, please refer to our Privacy Policy.
HelioLiver never sells personal information or data. We take privacy very seriously. Under California’s Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), effective January 1, 2020, California residents have the right to opt out of the sale of their personal information.
While we do not sell any customer data, our website uses cookies to improve user experience, track anonymous site usage, store authorization tokens, support usability and marketing, and permit voluntary sharing on social media (see our Privacy Policy for full details). Please note: if you opt out of these cookies and trackers, your web experience may be degraded.
Who has access to my patient’s results?
Results are shared with the ordering physician. For more information about privacy, please refer to our Privacy Policy.
For full details on how personal information is collected, used, and protected, please review our Privacy Policy.
Bring HelioLiver to Your Practice
Order a test kit, talk with our Medical Affairs team, or explore the clinical evidence behind earlier HCC detection.