The Prenatal Screening Program is a statewide program offered by prenatal care providers to all pregnant individuals in California. Prenatal screening uses a pregnant individual’s blood samples to screen for certain birth defects in their fetus. Individuals with a fetus found to have an increased chance of one of those birth defects are offered genetic counseling and other follow-up services through state-contracted Prenatal Diagnosis Centers. 

Birth defects are conditions in a fetus that can cause physical changes and intellectual disabilities. Birth defects most often happen by chance and usually do not run in families. Down syndrome and other “genetic conditions” that the Prenatal Screening Program screens for in a fetus are caused by an extra chromosome. Chromosomes help the fetus develop and are found in every cell in the body.

Research has shown that “birth defects” is the most commonly used and best understood term for the genetic conditions and neural tube defects that the Prenatal Screening Program screens for.

If you decide to do prenatal screening, you will be asked to give blood samples. Each sample is checked to find out if there is an increased chance your fetus has certain birth defects. If there is an increased chance, your prenatal provider will talk with you about next steps. You decide if you want further genetic counseling and other follow-up services. They include an ultrasound exam and diagnostic testing.

Prenatal screening estimates the chances of certain birth defects. If your prenatal screening result shows an increased chance of a birth defect, diagnostic testing is needed for a clear answer.

The California Prenatal Screening Program screens for the following genetic conditions and birth defects:

The California Prenatal Screening Program offers two screenings to be done in the first and second semester of pregnancy. Those who choose to participate will provide two blood samples for the two types of prenatal screening. Both screenings are recommended since they screen for different birth defects. These are the two screenings:

Medi-Cal and private insurance must cover all program fees, with only a few exceptions. The exceptions are for self-insured employers and out-of-state health plans. There is no co-payment, co-insurance, deductible, or any other form of cost sharing, required of covered families. 

The costs of the program are $232 for cfDNA screening and $85 for MSAFP screening. The cfDNA screening fee will increase to $344 on July 1, 2024.​ Pregnant individuals whose screening finds an increased chance of one of the birth defects screened for in their fetus will be offered genetic counseling and other follow-up services through state-contracted Prenatal Diagnosis Centers. These services are provided at no additional cost. These are the follow up services provided: