Section 215. Prohibition against use of genetic information and requests for genetic testing

A. An issuer of a Medicare supplement policy or certificate:

1. Shall not deny or condition the issuance or effectiveness of the policy or certificate (including the imposition of any exclusion of benefits under the policy based on a preexisting condition) on the basis of the genetic information with respect to such individual; and

2. Shall not discriminate in the pricing of the policy or certificate (including the adjustment of premium rates) of an individual on the basis of the genetic information with respect to such individual.

B. Nothing in subsection A of this section shall be construed to limit the ability of an issuer, to the extent otherwise permitted by law, from:

1. Denying or conditioning the issuance or effectiveness of the policy or certificate or increasing the premium for a group based on the manifestation of a disease or disorder of an insured or applicant; or

2. Increasing the premium for any policy issued to an individual based on the manifestation of a disease or disorder of an individual who is covered under the policy (in such case, the manifestation of a disease or disorder in one individual cannot also be used as genetic information about other group members and to further increase the premium for the group).

C. An issuer of a Medicare supplement policy or certificate shall not request or require an individual or a family member of such individual to undergo a genetic test.

D. Subsection C of this section shall not be construed to preclude an issuer of a Medicare supplement policy or certificate from obtaining and using the results of a genetic test in making a determination regarding payment (as defined for the purposes of applying the regulations promulgated under Part C of Title XI and § 264 of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996) and consistent with subsection A of this section.

E. For purposes of carrying out subsection D of this section, an issuer of a Medicare supplement policy or certificate may request only the minimum amount of information necessary to accomplish the intended purpose.

F. Notwithstanding subsection C of this section, an issuer of a Medicare supplement policy may request, but not require, that an individual or a family member of such individual undergo a genetic test if each of the following conditions is met:

1. The request is made pursuant to research that complies with 45 CFR Part 46, and any applicable state or local law or regulations for the protection of human subjects in research.

2. The issuer clearly indicates to each individual, or in the case of a minor child, to the legal guardian of such child, to whom the request is made that:

a. Compliance with the request is voluntary; and

b. Noncompliance will have no effect on enrollment status or premium or contribution amounts.

3. No genetic information collected or acquired under this subsection shall be used for underwriting, determination of eligibility to enroll or maintain enrollment status, premium rates, or the issuance, renewal, or replacement of a policy or certificate.

4. The issuer notifies the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services in writing that the issuer is conducting activities pursuant to the exception provided for under this subsection, including a description of the activities conducted.

5. The issuer complies with such other conditions as the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services may by regulation require for activities conducted under this subsection.

G. An issuer of a Medicare supplement policy or certificate shall not request, require, or purchase genetic information for underwriting purposes.

H. An issuer of a Medicare supplement policy or certificate shall not request, require, or purchase genetic information with respect to any individual prior to such individual's enrollment under the policy in connection with such enrollment.

I. If an issuer of a Medicare supplement policy or certificate obtains genetic information incidental to the requesting, requiring, or purchasing of other information concerning any individual, such request, requirement, or purchase shall not be considered a violation of subsection H of this section if such request, requirement, or purchase is not in violation of subsection G of this section.

J. For the purposes of this section only:

1. "Issuer of a Medicare supplement policy or certificate" includes third-party administrator, or other person acting for or on behalf of such issuer.

2. "Family member" means, with respect to an individual, any other individual who is a first-degree, second-degree, third-degree, or fourth-degree relative of such individual.

3. "Genetic information" means, with respect to any individual, information about such individual's genetic tests, the genetic tests of family members of such individual, and the manifestation of a disease or disorder in family members of such individual. Such term includes, with respect to any individual, any request for, or receipt of, genetic services, or participation in clinical research which includes genetic services, by such individual or any family member of such individual. Any reference to genetic information concerning an individual or family member of an individual who is a pregnant woman, includes genetic information of any fetus carried by a pregnant woman, or with respect to an individual or family member utilizing reproductive technology, includes genetic information of any embryo legally held by an individual or family member. The term "genetic information" does not include information about the sex or age of any individual.

4. "Genetic services" means a genetic test, genetic counseling (including obtaining, interpreting, or assessing genetic information), or genetic education.

5. "Genetic test" means an analysis of human DNA, RNA, chromosomes, proteins, or metabolites, that detect genotypes, mutations, or chromosomal changes. The term "genetic test" does not mean an analysis of proteins or metabolites that does not detect genotypes, mutations, or chromosomal changes; or an analysis of proteins or metabolites that is directly related to a manifested disease, disorder, or pathological condition that could reasonably be detected by a health care professional with appropriate training and expertise in the field of medicine involved.

6. "Underwriting purposes" means:

a. Rules for, or determination of, eligibility (including enrollment and continued eligibility) for benefits under the policy;

b. The computation of premium or contribution amounts under the policy;

c. The application of any preexisting condition exclusion under the policy; and

d. Other activities related to the creation, renewal, or replacement of a contract of health insurance or health benefits.

Historical Notes

Derived from Volume 25, Issue 18, eff. May 21, 2009.

Statutory Authority

§§ 12.1-13 and 38.2-223 of the Code of Virginia.