Natera Class Action Lawsuit, $10,000+ Surprise Bills and False Positives Trigger Multiple Legal Cases
Natera faces three separate class action lawsuits alleging the genetic testing company charged patients thousands of dollars in surprise medical bills despite promising maximum costs of $249, produced unreliable prenatal test results showing false positives more than 85% of the time for rare genetic conditions, and misled investors about the accuracy of its Panorama and Prospera testing products.
The billing practices lawsuit filed by Elizabeth Copley in 2021 and the false positive lawsuit filed by Amanda Davis in 2022, both pending in California federal court, could affect tens of thousands of pregnant women nationwide who received unexpected bills or inaccurate test results.
The $10,000 Surprise Billing Scandal
Natera markets genetic testing services including Panorama, Horizon, Vistara, and Spectrum tests for women trying to conceive or who are pregnant. According to the billing practices class action lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California (Case No. 3:21-cv-08941), Natera promises “price transparency” and tells patients their out-of-pocket costs won’t exceed $249.
Instead, thousands of women received bills ranging from $913 to over $10,000 months after their tests, according to court documents and consumer complaints. One patient reported receiving a $10,505 bill in November 2025 for a test performed in July 2025. Another consumer stated she received a bill for $10,000 in June 2025 for a test conducted in August 2024.
The lawsuit alleges Natera withholds the true price it intends to charge, leaving patients with “absolutely no insight into the amount they could end up being charged.” Amounts billed vary from $0 to thousands of dollars despite the company’s advertising claims of cost transparency.
Plaintiff Elizabeth Copley filed the lawsuit on behalf of a nationwide class of individuals who had a Panorama, Horizon, Vistara, or Spectrum genetic test performed by Natera and were billed more than $249. The case is currently in discovery as of January 2026, with Natera answering the amended complaint in December 2023.
The 85% False Positive Rate Controversy
A separate class action lawsuit filed February 17, 2022 by Amanda Davis and six other plaintiffs alleges Natera’s Panorama noninvasive prenatal test produces false positive results more than 85% of the time for certain rare genetic conditions, despite marketing itself as “overall the most accurate NIPT commercially available in the United States.”
According to the complaint (Case No. 3:22-cv-00985), a January 2022 New York Times investigation found that while Natera’s NIPT tests are generally effective at screening for Down syndrome, positive test results for rare genetic disorders like DiGeorge syndrome and Patau syndrome are incorrect more than 85 percent of the time.
False positives have severe consequences for expecting parents. Besides causing unnecessary anxiety and stress about their baby’s health, pregnant women undergo invasive diagnostic testing, expensive genetic counseling, and consultations with high-risk pregnancy specialists. Some patients terminated pregnancies based on false positive results.
The lawsuit claims Natera tests approximately one in ten pregnant women in the United States. “Each patient is led to believe that they will receive accurate results,” the complaint states. “Users of Natera’s NIPT test, however, have not received what they paid for.”
In September 2023, U.S. District Judge Araceli Martínez-Olguín partially granted and partially denied Natera’s motion to dismiss. The court allowed claims related to Panorama test accuracy to proceed while dismissing some other allegations. The case remains in discovery as of January 2026.
Similar to the Kaiser Caught Sharing Your Medical Data With Google And Microsoft case, these lawsuits demonstrate how healthcare companies face accountability for deceptive practices affecting millions of patients.
What You Must Know
Securities Fraud Allegations Against Natera
Investors also sued Natera for securities fraud. The Rosen Law Firm filed a class action on behalf of Natera shareholders who purchased securities between February 26, 2020 and April 19, 2022, alleging the company made false statements about Panorama’s reliability and Prospera’s precision compared to competing kidney rejection tests.
The securities lawsuit claims Natera relied upon deceptive sales and billing practices to drive revenue growth and exposed the company to substantial legal and regulatory risks. In December 2023, defendants filed an answer and the case entered discovery.
Current Status of All Three Lawsuits
As of January 2026, none of the three class action lawsuits against Natera have been settled or reached trial. The billing practices case, false positive prenatal testing case, and securities fraud case are all in discovery phases, with courts still determining class certification.
In class action lawsuits, courts determine liability based on verified evidence and applicable consumer protection laws. Potential class members do not need to take action until classes are certified and notice is provided.
What to Do Next
Check If You’re Affected by Billing Issues
Review bills from Natera for genetic testing services received between 2019 and 2026. If you were told costs wouldn’t exceed $249 but received bills for hundreds or thousands of dollars more, document everything: save all correspondence, billing statements, and records of what Natera representatives told you about costs.
Contact Natera’s billing department at the number on your statement to dispute charges. Request documentation showing how they calculated your bill and why it exceeded the promised $249 maximum. Keep records of all phone calls including dates, times, and representative names.
Monitor Case Developments
Access case documents through PACER at pacer.uscourts.gov. Search for Case No. 3:21-cv-08941 (billing practices) and Case No. 3:22-cv-00985 (false positives) in the Northern District of California.
Watch for class certification orders, settlement announcements, and claim filing deadlines. If classes are certified, the court will appoint a settlement administrator who will mail notices to potential class members.
Consider Individual Legal Action
If you terminated a pregnancy or underwent invasive procedures based on a false positive Natera test, consult with a medical malpractice or consumer protection attorney. You may have individual claims beyond the class action.
The statute of limitations for consumer fraud varies by state but typically ranges from one to four years from discovery of the harm. Act quickly to preserve your rights, as waiting too long may bar your claims permanently.
FAQs
What is the Natera class action lawsuit about?
Natera faces three separate class actions: one alleging surprise billing exceeding promised $249 maximums, one claiming false positive prenatal test results over 85% of the time for rare conditions, and a securities fraud case alleging Natera misled investors about test accuracy. All three cases are pending in federal court as of January 2026.
Has there been a settlement in any Natera lawsuit?
No. As of January 2026, none of the three major class action lawsuits against Natera have settled. The billing practices case filed in 2021, the false positive case filed in 2022, and the securities fraud case are all in discovery phases with no settlement agreements announced.
How much money can I get from the Natera lawsuit?
Settlement amounts haven’t been determined because no settlements have been reached. Potential compensation would depend on factors including how much you were overbilled, whether you received false positive results, and actual damages suffered. Individual settlements in consumer protection cases typically range from hundreds to thousands of dollars per class member.
Who qualifies for the Natera billing lawsuit?
The billing practices lawsuit seeks to represent all individuals nationwide who had a Panorama, Horizon, Vistara, or Spectrum genetic test performed by Natera and were billed more than $249. Specific eligibility will be determined if and when the court certifies the class.
Who qualifies for the Natera false positive lawsuit?
The false positive lawsuit represents purchasers of Natera’s NIPT testing services nationwide and includes state subclasses in California, Ohio, Maryland, Illinois, New Jersey, and Florida. The court has not yet certified the class, so final eligibility requirements remain undetermined.
Can I sue Natera individually if I’m part of the class?
Yes, but you must opt out of the class action once it’s certified. Individual lawsuits may recover more compensation but require hiring your own attorney and proving your case independently. Most consumer protection attorneys work on contingency, collecting fees only if you win.
How accurate are Natera’s prenatal tests actually?
According to court documents citing a New York Times investigation, Natera’s NIPT tests are generally effective at screening for Down syndrome but produce false positive results more than 85% of the time for certain rare genetic conditions. Natera disputes these allegations and the case remains in litigation.
Last Updated: January 20, 2026
Disclaimer: This article provides general information about Natera class action lawsuits and is not legal advice for your specific situation.
Did you receive unexpected bills or concerning test results from Natera? Share your experience in the comments to help other consumers understand their rights.
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About the Author
Sarah Klein, JD, is a licensed attorney and legal content strategist with over 12 years of experience across civil, criminal, family, and regulatory law. At All About Lawyer, she covers a wide range of legal topics — from high-profile lawsuits and courtroom stories to state traffic laws and everyday legal questions — all with a focus on accuracy, clarity, and public understanding.
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