Locations:
SearchAdvertisement
The short answer from a genetic counselor
Q: If I take a genetic test and learn I’m at high risk for a disease, could I lose my health insurance or have my premium raised?
Advertisement
Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy
A: This is a question that a lot of patients have. The Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act, or GINA, was passed a little over 10 years ago to address this question specifically. It’s a federal law that prevents medical insurers from raising your rates or dropping your coverage based on genetic test results. It also prevents people from employment discrimination based on genetic testing.
The law, however, does not prevent people from discrimination related to life insurance or long-term care or disability insurance. Different states have other laws related to that, but that’s not covered by this specifically.
The other thing is that it’s really just related to genetic test results, especially predictive tests where you don’t have symptoms but you’re trying to figure out your risks. If you’ve already been diagnosed with a condition, then GINA doesn’t cover you anymore. In that case you would fall into some of the other laws related to preexisting conditions.
— Genetic counselor Allison Schreiber
Advertisement
Learn more about our editorial process.
Advertisement
A small percentage of gastric cancer is genetic
Your risk for familial Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of hereditary dementia increases if an immediate family member has it
Knowing your family history and getting a genetic test can help detect colorectal cancer earlier
Family history matters for melanoma, but the connection isn’t as strong for other skin cancers
The simple answer is ‘yes’ — but the ‘why’ is much more complex
This evolving technology may one day eliminate conditions like sickle cell anemia and hemophilia
It can help determine a best treatment path
Genetics may increase your risk of a substance use disorder, but that doesn’t mean it’s fated
When you get bogged down with mental tasks, you can experience mood changes, sleeplessness and more
You can alternate these OTCs to help with pain management and fever reduction
Non-exercise activity thermogenesis is all the activity we do that’s not technically exercise but is still important to your health and well-being
