Insurance FAQ
Q: Is the TheraGuide 5-FU™ test covered by insurance?
A: The payment options are discussed in detail on the Myriad Reimbursement page.
Q: Is genetic discrimination prohibited by law?
A: Yes. A number of federal and state laws prohibit insurance discrimination to various degrees. The Health Insurance Portability Protection Act (HIPAA) recognizes genetic information as Protected Health Information (PHI) and specifies protection for the confidentiality of PHI. HIPAA also provides restrictions on health-related information in making coverage decisions and in setting premiums by group health insurers, although HIPAA does not provide such restrictions for non-group plans. HIPAA further states that genetic information in the absence of a diagnosis cannot be considered a pre-existing condition. In the federal government, executive departments and agencies are prohibited by executive order from using protected genetic information as a basis for employment decisions. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has interpreted the Americans with Disabilities act to provide some additional protections from the use of genetic information by employers. Many states have enacted additional protections against genetic discrimination in health insurance or employment or both. The Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act is currently awaiting final approval in the US Senate, to complete broad protection of genetic information.
Privacy FAQ
Q: Are a patient's genetic test results available to anyone beyond that patient and his or her healthcare provider?
A: Genetic test results are strictly confidential. Myriad only releases test results to the provider who ordered the test. Even when an insurance plan pays for testing, the insurer does not receive the results. Under no circumstances will Myriad release results to any party other than the provider who ordered the test without the written consent of that patient.
