Statement Of Support: Aetna Commends Passage Of Genetic Non-Discrimination Act (GINA)

Main Category: Genetics
Article Date: 05 May 2008 - 0:00 PDT

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Aetna (NYSE:AET) announced its support of passage of the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA). Protecting the privacy of genetic information has been at the top of Aetna's agenda for the past six years.

GINA is consistent with Aetna's commitment to providing members with access to optimal care. Medically appropriate genetic testing provides an opportunity to achieve that goal. The company also appreciates its obligation to protect the confidentiality of all individually-identifiable health information, including genetic information, and has long supported the position that predictive genetic information should not be used to determine eligibility for health insurance coverage or set premiums.

In 2002, the company was the first health plan to craft and implement a privacy policy describing appropriate and inappropriate uses of genetic data. The guidelines state that Aetna will:

- Cover genetic testing for individuals shown to be at risk where results may affect the course of treatment of the insured;

- Cover consultation with qualified counselors and physicians to facilitate the appropriate interpretation of genetic testing results; and

- Support physician education in the appropriate interpretation and use of genetic tests, including guidance in the selection of medication.

Further, the company's guidelines state that Aetna will not:

- Establish rules for health coverage eligibility based on genetic testing results.

- Request or require results of genetic tests as a condition to providing health insurance coverage.

- Use genetic testing for risk selection or risk classification purposes in providing health coverage.

- Disclose genetic test results that may come into our possession without member authorization.

Aetna's position served as the basis for the policy adopted by America's Health Insurance Plans and is now an industry standard. In 2007, Aetna adopted an employment genetic non-discrimination policy.

Aetna has developed a range of policies and tools to promote the evidence-based use of genetic technologies and services, including genetic counseling. Most recently, Aetna made available telephone and web-based genetic cancer counseling services for inherited cancers through Informed Medical Decisions, a national genetic counseling company staffed with board-certified genetic counselors with expertise in cancer genetic counseling.

About Aetna

Aetna is one of the nation's leading diversified health care benefits companies, serving approximately 37.3 million people with information and resources to help them make better informed decisions about their health care. Aetna offers a broad range of traditional and consumer-directed health insurance products and related services, including medical, pharmacy, dental, behavioral health, group life and disability plans, and medical management capabilities and health care management services for Medicaid plans. Our customers include employer groups, individuals, college students, part-time and hourly workers, health plans, governmental units, government-sponsored plans, labor groups and expatriates.

http://www.aetna.com