Insurance Issues Surrounding Genetic Testing
Should children be tested?
Since breast and ovarian cancer are extremely rare in individuals before the age of 30 - most physicians recommend delaying genetic testing for hereditary breast cancer until a child has reached the age of majority. In most cases, clinical management is not changed until the age of 25. Consideration of genetic counseling prior to testing is recommended as testing may carry intense psychological stressors for young women.
Will my children or I be discriminated against if I choose to undergo testing?
In the U.S.A., the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee (HELP) reached agreement in May of 2003 on a bill that prohibits discrimination. In addition, other federal protections have been enacted providing protections against discrimination based upon genetic information when issuing insurance, setting premiums and in the misuse of genetic information in the workplace. Many states have also enacted some form of genetic non-discrimination legislation.
Will my insurance company cover genetic counseling and testing?
Many insurance companies in the U.S.A. cover the costs of genetic counseling and if criteria are met the cost of testing.
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