Afirma Thyroid Nodule Test for Patients

Afirma is a genetic test that reveals important information about your thyroid nodule. It can help you create a care plan with your doctor that can personalize treatment and avoid unnecessary thyroid surgery.

What To Ask My Doctor Insurance Coverage

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Why would my doctor order the Afirma test?

Molecular testing can assess potentially cancerous thyroid nodules and determine individualized care plans.

Talk to your doctor about whether Veracyte tests might be right for you.

Afirma GSC is an advanced diagnostic test to reduce uncertainty and avoid unnecessary surgery.¹

Up to 30% of thyroid FNA biopsies do not clearly show whether the nodule was cancerous or not.¹

The majority of these cases used surgery to get a clear diagnosis in the past.¹

About 80% of these surgeries were proven unnecessary, as the nodules turned out to be benign.¹

Did you know?

Molecular testing is supported by trusted guidelines from the American Thyroid Association (ATA) and the National Comprehensive Cancer Network® (NCCN®).^2,3

Inherited Risk Assessment

Screening and Risk Assessment

Diagnosis

Prognosis

Treatment Guidance

Recurrence Monitoring

Cost and Coverage View Sample Reports View FAQs

How does the test work?

Afirma GSC helps you and your doctor make more informed treatment decisions.

Health care provider in a white coat consults with a patient sitting on an exam table in a bright medical office, conveying a sense of care and attentiveness.

FNA biopsy

Your doctor will use a thin needle to collect cells from the thyroid nodule.

This is called a fine-needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy.

Collecting multiple samples at one time will allow you to avoid returning for a second procedure.

A healthcare professional in blue scrubs uses a tablet, wearing a stethoscope, while consulting with a person in casual attire. The scene is collaborative.

Cytopathology

Your thyroid nodule cells are then viewed by a cytopathologist – a doctor trained to examine cells under a microscope.

If the result is Benign, Afirma molecular testing is not necessary.

In some instances, the cytopathology results are not clear, and this is called an indeterminate result. In other instances, the cytopathology results diagnose the nodule as malignant.

Afirma is available in these cases for your doctor to order.

A lab worker wearing blue gloves carefully handles a tray of test tubes with purple caps in a laboratory setting, conveying precision and focus.

Afirma molecular testing

If your cytopathology is indeterminate, Afirma GSC testing will then evaluate the genes in your thyroid nodule cells.

If the Afirma GSC result is Benign, it means the chance of cancer is very low.¹ This occurs in about 2 out of 3 cases with indeterminate nodules.¹

If the Afirma GSC result is Suspicious, or if cytopathology is malignant, Afirma GSC testing may identify variants or fusions that could help your doctor decide the optimal treatment for you.

Afirma GSC Resources

Afirma sample test reports

Molecular Only sample report

For patients with an indeterminate nodule that was found to be Benign by the Afirma test.

Download Sample Report

Molecular Only: Suspicious, BRAF K601E Positive sample report

For patients with an indeterminate nodule that was found to be Suspicious by the Afirma test.

Download Sample Report

Cytology + Molecular sample report

For patients diagnosed with an indeterminate nodule by Thyroid Cytopathology Partners, the Afirma test classified it as Benign.

Download Sample Report

Cytology + Molecular: Suspicious, BRAF K601E Positive sample report

For patients diagnosed with an indeterminate nodule by Thyroid Cytopathology Partners, the Afirma test classified it as Suspicious.

Download Sample Report

Patient insights

View Resources

Is the Afirma test covered by insurance?

Veracyte is committed to providing all patients with access to the Afirma test, regardless of their personal financial situation.

Medicare⁴ covers Afirma GSC testing for patients with $0 out of pocket.

Afirma is covered by most major commercial insurance plans throughout the US.

People in Home	$0 cost to patient if income is less than:	$100 cost to patient if income is less than:	$295 cost to patient if income is less than:
1	$45,180	$52,710	$60,240
2	$61,320	$71,540	$81,760
3	$77,460	$90,370	$103,280
4	$93,600	$109,200	$124,800
5	$109,740	$128,030	$146,320

In the event the Afirma test is not covered by your commercial insurance, you may qualify for financial assistance or a tailored payment plan through the Veracyte Access Program:

Financial assistance eligibility depends on your household income and insurance status.
Payment plans are available to accommodate certain financial situations to ensure affordability for patients.

For more information, please contact the Afirma billing team through our Contact Us page. Restrictions apply.

How does Veracyte handle the insurance process for the Afirma test?

At Veracyte, we are committed to providing all patients with access to the Afirma test, regardless of their personal financial situation.

If you have questions about insurance coverage or the insurance process, our team is here to help.

A claim is submitted to the patient’s insurer.
The patient will receive an explanation of benefits (EOB) from their insurer. PLEASE NOTE, THIS IS NOT A BILL.
In many cases, the insurance will pay for the complete cost of the test.
If the patient’s insurance does not pay for the complete cost of the test, we will appeal it on their behalf.
For any out-of-pocket costs, Veracyte will determine all assistance options and send a bill to the patient.

Ask for Afirma

Your thyroid nodule diagnosis experience is all about you. Before you get an FNA biopsy, prepare yourself with questions to ask your doctor using our Patient Discussion Guide.

It is important that you and your doctor collect all of the necessary information as you plan your path forward.

Download Discussion Guide

Frequently Asked Questions

Which thyroid nodules are eligible for the Afirma test?

What are the possible results I can receive from the Afirma test?

If the Afirma test is ordered for an indeterminate nodule (Bethesda III or Bethesda IV), you will receive a GSC Benign result or a GSC Suspicious result with variant or fusion findings. A Benign result means the nodule has a 4% or less chance of being cancerous.† A Suspicious result means the nodule has a 50% chance of being cancerous.† If any variants or fusions are found, that can refine the 50% chance of being cancerous to 75% or higher.‡

If the Afirma test is ordered for a nodule that is Suspicious (Bethesda V or Bethesda VI), you will receive results showing any variants or fusions found in the nodule. These findings can help determine the cancer risk and guide your doctor in creating the best treatment plan for you.
† Patel KN, et al. JAMA Surg. 2018. DOI: 10.1001/jamasurg.2018.1153 ‡ Angell TE, et al. Thyroid. 2019. DOI: 10.1089/thy.2018.0726

Can the Afirma test be performed on a blood sample?

How long does it take to get Afirma GSC test results?

How much does the Afirma test cost?

What should I do if I get a bill for Afirma GSC?

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References

Patel KN, et al. JAMA Surg. 2018. DOI: 10.1001/jamasurg.2018.1153
Haugen BR, et al. Thyroid. 2016. DOI: 10.1089/thy.2015.0020
Referenced with permission from the NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines®) for Thyroid Carcinoma V.1.2025. © National Comprehensive Cancer Network, Inc. 2025. All rights reserved. Accessed [February and 18, 2026]. To view the most recent and complete version of the guideline, go online to NCCN.org. NCCN makes no warranties of any kind whatsoever regarding their content, use or application and disclaims any responsibility for their application or use in any way.
Data On File.

Disclaimers

Afirma testing is available in the United States as part of Veracyte’s CLIA-validated laboratory developed test (LDT) service, and FDA clearance is not required.

Talk to your doctor about whether Veracyte tests might be right for you.

Veracyte Access eligibility is based on total annual household income, insurance status, and household size. Some eligibility restrictions apply. Veracyte Access offers the Afirma test at a reduced cost to eligible applicants except where otherwise restricted. Residents of the United States, District of Columbia and Puerto Rico are eligible to apply. Veracyte Access does not constitute health insurance. You must meet certain income requirements set forth above. We may request documentation to verify your income, including recently filed tax returns and other supporting documentation. By requesting assistance, you certify, to the best of your knowledge, that you are eligible for assistance and that you have insufficient financial resources to pay for the ordered test. We may discontinue or change this program at any time for any reason without notice.

Afirma Thyroid Nodule Test for Patients

Why would my doctor order the Afirma test?

Afirma GSC is an advanced diagnostic test to reduce uncertainty and avoid unnecessary surgery.¹