Genetic Testing for Health Insurance

Due to the increase in popularity of genetic testing, health insurances may begin to use it as a way to figure out whether to insurance someone or how much a person has to pay for coverage. While this may not be fair, health insurance companies have been using health assessments for years, using other methods.

When you seek out health insurance, they will ask you about your health. They want to know whom they are insuring and if you will be using the insurance often or only once and awhile. Of course, the more medical needs you have, the higher your premiums or deductible. This is how insurance companies make their money.

Some companies require that you provide a letter from your physician with your current physical health. In this, you might also need to provide family medical history. Why? You may be susceptible to the same diseases as your relatives. This is the same reason why genetic testing may also be included. It will show which diseases you are susceptible to. It doesn’t mean you will definitely suffer from them, it’s just something the health insurances will consider especially when factoring in your lifestyle, such as if you smoke and have the genetic marker for lung cancer.

What do you think of this? Do you think it’s fair to use genetic testing for health insurance determination?

(Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/atwj/3385977248/)

July 2nd, 2009 by Marcelina Hardy | Posted in Genetic Testing | (0)