Panorama test: What you need to know to make an informed decision

Expecting a baby is an incredible and emotional time filled with joy, and naturally, some worries too, especially about your little one’s health. Non-invasive prenatal tests (NIPTs) can help ease those worries by providing early insights into your baby’s genetic health, giving you peace of mind, and helping you prepare for what’s ahead.

Among the many options, the Panorama test has become a trusted choice for parents. In this review, we’ll explain how the test works, what it checks for, how insurance might cover it, and what you can expect, so you feel confident and informed every step of the way.

What is the Panorama test?

Panorama is an NIPT developed by Natera to give you early insights into your baby’s health, starting as early as nine weeks into pregnancy. This test screens for a range of genetic conditions, including:

• Chromosomal conditions: Down syndrome (Trisomy 21), Edwards syndrome (Trisomy 18), and Patau syndrome (Trisomy 13)

• Sex chromosome conditions: Turner syndrome, Klinefelter syndrome, Triple X syndrome, and XYY syndrome

• Microdeletions: 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (DiGeorge syndrome), 1p36 deletion syndrome, Cri-du-chat syndrome, and Prader-Willi syndrome

Panorama can also provide extra details that some parents find helpful. For example, the test can be used to determine your baby’s sex. Additionally, if you’re expecting twins, you can use the test to find out whether they are identical or fraternal.

Bonus read — Learn more about NIPTs and prenatal screening:

• How long do NIPT results take?

• Cell-free DNA test vs. NIPT

• Prenatal genetic testing pros and cons

How does the Panorama test work?

Source: AhmadArdity

Panorama is a three-step process that starts with a simple blood draw. But behind the scenes, it uses a more detailed method of analysis than many other NIPTs.

What makes Panorama different is its use of SNP-based technology — a technique that helps distinguish between your DNA and your baby’s. This added precision can improve accuracy, especially in pregnancies where the two DNA sources are harder to separate.

Here’s what the process looks like when taking the Panorama test:

1. You provide a blood sample: A small sample is drawn from your arm at your doctor’s office or a lab.

2. The lab analyzes your sample: The lab examines specific DNA regions to check for extra or missing chromosomes linked to genetic conditions.

3. Your provider gets the results: Results are typically ready in about 5–12 days. They’ll show whether your baby is at low or high risk for the conditions tested.

Once your results arrive, your doctor will guide you through the next steps. Since Panorama is a carrier screening test, not a diagnostic one, it evaluates the risk of genetic conditions but doesn't provide a definitive diagnosis. If your results show a high risk, your doctor may recommend further testing, like an ultrasound, to confirm. 

4 things to know before taking the Panorama test

The Panorama test can offer helpful insights during pregnancy, but there are a few important details to understand before you decide. In the following sections, we’ll walk you through the most common factors future parents consider before taking this test, including:

1. Who can take the Panorama test?

2. When can you take the Panorama test?

3. How accurate is the Panorama test?

4. Understanding cost and insurance coverage

1. Who can take the Panorama test? 

Panorama is available to anyone who’s pregnant, and for many parents, it offers reassurance during a time that’s both exciting and full of unknowns. While you don’t need a specific reason to take it, this test may be especially helpful if:

• You’re 35 or older, and want reassurance since the risk of some chromosomal conditions increases with age.

• There’s a family history of genetic conditions, and you’re hoping to better understand your baby’s health early on.

• You’ve been through a pregnancy affected by a genetic condition, and want to take every step you can this time around.

• An ultrasound raised questions, and you'd like clearer answers before considering anything more invasive.

Panorama can be used in both singleton and twin pregnancies, but it’s not the right fit for everyone. It may not be accurate if you’re carrying triplets or more, or if your pregnancy involves a surrogate or donor eggs with twins. The test can also be affected if you’ve had a vanishing twin or a bone marrow transplant in the past. In those cases, your provider may recommend a different type of screening.

Bonus read — Curious to learn how Natera compares to other providers? Find out in our guides below:

• Maternit21 vs. Natera

• Natera vs. Myriad

• Natera vs. Invitae

2. When can you take the Panorama test?

One of the reasons many expectant parents choose Panorama is timing — you can take the test as early as nine weeks into pregnancy. That means you could get early insights into your baby’s health well before your first-trimester screening is over.

If you like to plan ahead or simply want answers sooner rather than later, this early window can feel like a welcome advantage.

That said, your provider might suggest waiting until 11 weeks if you have a higher BMI. That’s because a little extra time can help ensure there’s a high enough fetal fraction in your blood sample to return clear, accurate results. And while waiting a week or two longer might feel frustrating, it can reduce the chances of needing a redraw, which saves time in the long run.

3. How accurate is the Panorama test?

Source: Natera

When you're making decisions based on test results, accuracy isn’t just a detail — it’s everything. Panorama is considered one of the most reliable NIPTs available.

According to Natera, Panorama has:

• Over 99% accuracy for Down syndrome (Trisomy 21)

• Over 95% accuracy for Trisomy 18 and 13

• 92% accuracy for Monosomy X (Turner syndrome)

While these numbers are reassuring, it's also important to understand how accuracy works in context.

For example, a negative result is usually very reliable: if the test says your baby is unlikely to have a certain condition, that’s typically accurate. But positive results can be more complicated, especially for rarer conditions like microdeletions. In those cases, a positive result doesn’t always mean the baby truly has that condition — only that there's an increased chance.

While Panorama is a powerful screening tool, it doesn’t give you a definitive diagnosis. If your results come back positive or inconclusive, you should first talk with your doctor — they’ll help you understand what the next steps are, whether that's a follow-up scan, additional testing, or repeating the test.

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4. Understanding cost and insurance coverage

Source: MART PRODUCTION

The cost of the Panorama test can vary depending on your insurance plan and whether you just opt for Panorama or pair it with Natera’s carrier screening test, Horizon.

Natera is in-network with most major insurers, and about two-thirds of patients with in-network coverage have no out-of-pocket cost. But if you have a high deductible, limited coverage, or a plan that’s out-of-network, you may face higher costs.

When it comes to other parents and Panorama, many have reported billing issues or unexpected charges when they opted to go through insurance. Here’s one mother’s experience:

[Reddit](https://www.reddit.com/r/BabyBumps/comments/1hc4tav/comment/m1lebyy/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button)(280)

To avoid these unpleasant surprises, many patients choose Natera’s self-pay option, which is usually around $249. Natera also offers a financial assistance program that can reduce the price to $149 or less, depending on your eligibility.

If you’re considering Panorama, it’s a good idea to ask your doctor’s office or Natera’s billing team for a cost estimate in advance. They can walk you through your options and help make sure you don’t get stuck with a larger bill than expected.

Bonus — Learn about the differences between Natera’s Horizon and Panorama tests in our guide.

Verdict — Is the Panorama test right for you?

The Panorama prenatal test is a strong option if you're looking for a high-accuracy, non-invasive way to screen for certain chromosomal conditions early in pregnancy. But like most NIPTs, Panorama has its limitations.

Check out the table below for a quick breakdown of the pros and cons of the Panorama test:

Panorama offers some of the most advanced technology in the NIPT space, especially if you're interested in a broad but focused screen for chromosomal conditions. But if you’re looking for a more complete picture — including inherited conditions that NIPTs don’t cover — and want a predictable, transparent price, a carrier screening test like Nucleus might be the better fit.

Get a complete genetic risk assessment with Nucleus

While Panorama focuses on your baby’s DNA to screen for chromosomal conditions, Nucleus uses whole-genome sequencing (WGS) to look at you and your partner’s DNA and search for inherited risks that most NIPTs miss. It’s one of the most comprehensive carrier screens available, and it’s designed with clarity, convenience, and real-life decision-making in mind.

Here’s what makes Nucleus different:

• Screens for over 900 inherited conditions: By analyzing both parents' DNA, Nucleus reveals the full picture of what you could pass on to your child, including conditions like cystic fibrosis, Tay-Sachs, and muscular dystrophy (MD).

• Full disclosure and no surprises: With transparent pricing and no surprise bills, you’ll know exactly what you’re paying up front. Nucleus is also HSA/FSA eligible.

• Convenient and clinic-free: You can do the test from the comfort of your home — no blood draw, no appointments, and no referrals needed.

• Clear and easy-to-understand reports: You don’t need a degree in genetics to understand your results. Nucleus provides you with straigtforward reports written in plain language, which also include actionable insights.

Get started with Nucleus

Testing with Nucleus takes three quick steps: 

1. Sign up for Nucleus

2. Enter your personal details

3. Place your order

Once your kit arrives, swab the inside of your cheeks, seal your sample, and send it back using the prepaid envelope. In about 6–8 weeks, you'll receive a personalized report with clear insights into your genetic risks.

The test costs $499 for individuals or $798 for couples, with everything included — the kit, shipping, lab analysis, and your full results.

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Featured image source: marjonhorn