in order to buy long term health care insurance would you subject yourself to gene testing? (grandparents, coverage)
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I considered having the testing done at my own expense, but even with
privacy laws don't feel secure the results would be private!
I feel somehow the results would become a part of my medical history
even if I didn't want it to.
I believe it's against the law to discriminate due to genetic testing. Also, this seems kind of random---genetic testing would be for a specific condition, rather than a test that reveals multiple defects. Example: $3,000.00 to test for Lynch Syndrome (and only one lab in the USA performs this test). Test is specific and for that one condition. What insurance company is going to test for a grabbag of conditions? Just my thoughts, glad to be corrected!
I believe it's against the law to discriminate due to genetic testing. Also, this seems kind of random---genetic testing would be for a specific condition, rather than a test that reveals multiple defects. Example: $3,000.00 to test for Lynch Syndrome (and only one lab in the USA performs this test). Test is specific and for that one condition. What insurance company is going to test for a grabbag of conditions? Just my thoughts, glad to be corrected!
It appears there is a law, but with an exception for insurers, see link post #9. Also glad to be corrected.
Quote:
There's a federal law that's supposed to protect people from having their own genes used against them, the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act, or GINA. Under GINA, it's illegal for an employer to fire someone based on his genes, and it's illegal for health insurers to raise rates or to deny coverage because of someone's genetic code.
But the law has a loophole: It only applies to health insurance. It doesn't say anything about companies that sell life insurance, disability insurance or long-term-care insurance.
I've had DNA testing for medical predictive purposes. On my own, for my own reasons and not as a requirement for my LTC insurance.
It seems to me that an insurance company requiring this wants, obviously, to insure only the healthiest ... or persons with little liklihood of certain, expensive long-term diseases/conditions as policyholders. From a business operations standpoint, that makes sense. From the standpoint of a policyholder it may not be so good. Of course, if the DNA test suggests little chance of serious problems in the future, the premiums should be subsantially lower. I don't know if that would be the case, though.
I considered having the testing done at my own expense, but even with
privacy laws don't feel secure the results would be private!
I feel somehow the results would become a part of my medical history
even if I didn't want it to.
That's why I mentioned using a fake name and a consumer friendly company, such as 23andme. You order the test ($99) and they will mail you a spit kit. You spit into the tube and mail it back for testing. Results may be accessed via internet/password. Some folks use 23andme for genealogy purposes only, most (I think) use it only for the medical info and do not participate in the voluntary matching of potential "cousins". IIRC (pun intended) there are no markers used to identify those at higher risk for the type of Alzheimers that develops late in life. They do, however, test for Early Onset Alzheimers. If you go to 23andMe's website, you will see a list of medical conditions for which it tests. A lot of it could be helpful, especially the testing that is related to efficacy of certain medications.
I intend to purchase kits for me and my sister. Unfortunately, Maryland is one of two states that does not allow for the sale of direct-to-consumer diagnostic tests (with a few minor exceptions). Thus, 23andMe will not ship to my home, nor will it accept a kit that has a Maryland postmark. I will have the kits shipped elsewhere and return them using pseudonyms. Even if I could receive the kit in Maryland, I'd still take steps to conceal my identity.
BTW, I checked online and apparently my state does not allow long term care insurance companies to discriminate based on the results of genetic testing. I guess there are both pros and cons to living in a nanny state.
That's why I mentioned using a fake name and a consumer friendly company, such as 23andme. You order the test ($99) and they will mail you a spit kit. You spit into the tube and mail it back for testing. Results may be accessed via internet/password. Some folks use 23andme for genealogy purposes only, most (I think) use it only for the medical info and do not participate in the voluntary matching of potential "cousins". IIRC (pun intended) there are no markers used to identify those at higher risk for the type of Alzheimers that develops late in life. They do, however, test for Early Onset Alzheimers. If you go to 23andMe's website, you will see a list of medical conditions for which it tests. A lot of it could be helpful, especially the testing that is related to efficacy of certain medications.
I intend to purchase kits for me and my sister. Unfortunately, Maryland is one of two states that does not allow for the sale of direct-to-consumer diagnostic tests (with a few minor exceptions). Thus, 23andMe will not ship to my home, nor will it accept a kit that has a Maryland postmark. I will have the kits shipped elsewhere and return them using pseudonyms. Even if I could receive the kit in Maryland, I'd still take steps to conceal my identity.
BTW, I checked online and apparently my state does not allow long term care insurance companies to discriminate based on the results of genetic testing. I guess there are both pros and cons to living in a nanny state.
Isn't your governor Nanny O'malley. Oh well at least no more death penalty
I agree. Actually, it is the people with risk factors for the horrible diseases who will NEED the insurance. If you are tested and have none, why would you want to pay all those premiums? Most old folks still die in their own homes and use housing facilities only sporadically.
The whole idea of insurance is that they don't discriminate in accepting people and so the healthy insure those who are not so lucky.
Most countries that have a single payer health system and facilities for old folks also have another tier for those who can pay more. This makes sense to me.
No, absolutely not. Worrying about what may happen is foolish and not worthy of our time in our later years. I already know I have a host of stuff wrong with me. To add to the list would make me want to throw in the towel, now.
I watched a program on PBS a few days ago. It
suggested that in order to buy Ltc insurance
you would have to get gene tested. While I
might want to know if I have the PROBABILITy
of certain diseases, I don't want toknow if
I might get Alzheimers, do you?
This is about as smart as saying blond hair and blue eyes make you a superior race. It needs to get slapped down fast. If you do something your in control of smoking,drinking to excess ect. then I can see getting changed for your activity's. But how your born is not your fault and to take people based on that is disgusting and capitalism gone so far over the top its sick.
That's why I mentioned using a fake name and a consumer friendly company, such as 23andme. You order the test ($99) and they will mail you a spit kit. You spit into the tube and mail it back for testing. Results may be accessed via internet/password. Some folks use 23andme for genealogy purposes only, most (I think) use it only for the medical info and do not participate in the voluntary matching of potential "cousins". IIRC (pun intended) there are no markers used to identify those at higher risk for the type of Alzheimers that develops late in life. They do, however, test for Early Onset Alzheimers. If you go to 23andMe's website, you will see a list of medical conditions for which it tests. A lot of it could be helpful, especially the testing that is related to efficacy of certain medications.
I intend to purchase kits for me and my sister. Unfortunately, Maryland is one of two states that does not allow for the sale of direct-to-consumer diagnostic tests (with a few minor exceptions). Thus, 23andMe will not ship to my home, nor will it accept a kit that has a Maryland postmark. I will have the kits shipped elsewhere and return them using pseudonyms. Even if I could receive the kit in Maryland, I'd still take steps to conceal my identity.
BTW, I checked online and apparently my state does not allow long term care insurance companies to discriminate based on the results of genetic testing. I guess there are both pros and cons to living in a nanny state.
Thanks! Hard to believe MD won't let you order a kit if you want to. Your business if you ask me.
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