FYI,

Dr. Stone at the U of Iowa offers DNA/molecular testing for numerous genetic eye diseases. This service is completely not for profit, and may help nail down a diagnosis.

The link to the Carver Lab is:

http://www.carverlab.org/

is any one else scared about the possibility of insurance companies refusing coverage because you are found to have genes for certain diseases? (such as the breast cancer genes i think there are 2 and 1 for colorectal cancer) I don't like where i see this issue going. I have a feeling that genes are going to cause a person to fall in the "pre-existing condition" area because the breast cancer genes have been shown to increase your risk for developing the cancer to 99.1% (found this in my health text) Not to mention the fact that certain employers have to offer benefits packages to their employees (no matter how basic) and they may not be inclined to hire you if they are able to get this information. I know that currently medical records are not shared with employers but for a long time our credit reports weren't either and now it is steadily becoming common practice for potential employers to pull credit reports on people they are interviewing. What do you all think about this?

Originally posted by smkoepke
is any one else scared about the possibility of insurance companies refusing coverage because you are found to have genes for certain diseases? (such as the breast cancer genes i think there are 2 and 1 for colorectal cancer) I don't like where i see this issue going. I have a feeling that genes are going to cause a person to fall in the "pre-existing condition" area because the breast cancer genes have been shown to increase your risk for developing the cancer to 99.1% (found this in my health text) Not to mention the fact that certain employers have to offer benefits packages to their employees (no matter how basic) and they may not be inclined to hire you if they are able to get this information. I know that currently medical records are not shared with employers but for a long time our credit reports weren't either and now it is steadily becoming common practice for potential employers to pull credit reports on people they are interviewing. What do you all think about this?

The answers below were obtained from:
http://www.hep-c-alert.org/links/hippa.html

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) was signed into law on August 21, 1996 and addresses this specific issue of "preexisting conditions".

Under HIPAA, a group health plan or a health insurance issuer offering group health insurance coverage may impose a preexisting condition exclusion with respect to a participant or beneficiary only if the following requirements are satisfied:

1) a preexisting condition exclusion must relate to a condition for which medical advice, diagnosis, care or treatment was recommended or received during the 6-month period prior to an individual's enrollment date;
2) preexisting condition exclusion may not last for more than 12 months (18 months for late enrollees) after an individual's enrollment date; and
3) this 12- (or 18-) month period must be reduced by the number of days of the individual's prior creditable coverage, excluding coverage before any break in coverage of 63 days or more.

What is a "preexisting condition"?


A "preexisting condition" is a condition present before your enrollment date in any new health plan.

Under HIPAA, the only preexisting conditions that may be excluded under a preexisting condition exclusion are those for which medical advice, diagnosis, care or treatment was recommended or received within the 6-month period ending on your enrollment date.

If you had a medical condition in the past, but have not received any medical advice, diagnosis, care or treatment within the 6 months prior to your enrollment date in the plan, your old condition is not a "preexisting condition" for which an exclusion can be applied.

I have an ongoing medical condition and have been subject to a preexisting condition exclusion period under my current employer's health plan. I have been continuously enrolled in the plan for more than 12 months. Will HIPAA help me obtain coverage for this condition?

Yes. As long as benefits for the condition are otherwise covered under the terms of the plan, a preexisting condition exclusion period may generally not last longer than 12 months. Because you have been covered by your current plan for at least 12 months without a 63-day break in coverage, your employer will no longer be able to impose the preexisting condition exclusion period when HIPAA becomes effective for your plan.

I recently changed jobs. Seven months ago I received my last treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome. I have not received any medical advice, diagnosis, care or treatment regarding this condition since that time. Can my employer impose a preexisting condition exclusion period for this illness?

No. Your employer may not impose a preexisting condition exclusion period with respect to any condition for which no medical advice, diagnosis, care or treatment was recommended or received more than 6 months prior to your enrollment date.

Based on current HIPPA laws, patients diagnosed with a disease within 6 months prior to enrollement qualify as a preexisting condition; however, after 12 months, employers/plans cannot impose a preexisting condition exclusion.

Therefore, I think that genetic testing will do more good than harm medically and economically. Early detection of diseases will help reduce costs associated with treatment and care for the patient. In addition, people have a right to know if they carry a potentially harmful gene. This genetic information helps patients make educated decisions in regards to having children. For instance, if patients know that they carry an autosomal dominant gene for retinitis pigmentosa, then they may defer having more children knowing that they have a 50% chance of passing the gene to their kids.