DNA test and privacy protection

Are you worried about what will happen to your results from a DNA test?

Genetic test results are protected by law.

In 2008, Congress passed the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA). GINA prohibits discrimination of an individual by health insurers (title 1) and employers (title 2) based on the individual's genetic information.

Title 1 applies to private health insurers, Medicare, Medicaid, Federal Employee Health Benefits and the Veterans Health Administration. TRICARE may not use your genetic information for coverage, underwriting, or to set your premiums. However, in order to be eligible for TRICARE insurance, you must be employed by the U.S. Military and GINA’s employment protections do not apply to the U.S. Military. The U.S. military can use your genetic and medical information to make employment decisions.

Title 2 prevents employers from using your genetic information in employment decisions and prevents employers from requesting and requiring genetic information from employees or those who are applying for jobs. A note about Employee Wellness Programs: employers can't reward an employee for giving genetic information but employers also can't penalize an employee for withholding genetic information.

GINA doesn't apply in the following situations:

1. Long-term care insurance

2. Disability insurance

3. Life insurance

4. Employers with less than 15 employees

Some states have state laws that offer additional protections against genetic discrimination in these lines of insurance.

Your information will not be shared with any third parties without your permission. Tarheel PGx Consulting, its affiliated labs, and software companies must keep protected health information private. All patients will be provided a copy of the Tarheel PGx Consulting HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices. This document must be read and signed by all patients before any services will be rendered.

Below are links to read the Notice of Privacy Practices from the companies that we work with.

OneOme®: https://oneome.com/notice-privacy/

PureGenomics®: https://www.puregenomics.com/privacy

PureEncapsulations®: https://pureforyou.com/pages/privacy

GenXys®: https://www.genxys.com/privacy-policy/

Keap: https://keap.com/legal/privacy-policy

Have more questions?

Book a call with our pharmacist.

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SOURCES:

1. https://www.eeoc.gov/statutes/genetic-information-nondiscrimination-act-2008#

2. https://www.genome.gov/about-genomics/policy-issues/Genetic-Discrimination