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Aetna Recommends Guidelines for Access to Genetic Testing
Company advocates education and information privacy
HARTFORD, Conn., June 17, 2002 — Aetna (NYSE: ΑET) Chairman and CEO John W. Rowe, M.D., has recommended that the health insurance industry support legislation and consider adopting guidelines for access to genetic counseling, genetic testing and the appropriate use of test results. He called on health plans to make available products to their self-insured plan sponsors and their fully insured customers that cover genetic testing, cover consultation, support physician and patient education, and work with physicians to promote strict confidentiality of test results. Dr. Rowe made his remarks as an invited guest speaker at The Inaugural Symposium on Genetic Privacy and Discrimination at the University of Rochester's School of Medicine and Dentistry on Saturday, June 15, 2002.
"Health plans can play an important role in promoting access to clinically useful genetic testing and the proper interpretation of test results," Dr. Rowe said. "I believe that there is a pressing need for the health insurance industry to establish guidelines for covering genetic testing in a way that promotes disease prevention and disease management, while at the same time respecting members' privacy. We have a responsibility to our members to keep pace with medical innovation, while preserving privacy and confidentiality. We believe there is also a good business case for health quality. A small investment in testing today can prevent or mitigate human suffering, while saving on health care costs in the future."
Aetna currently has a comprehensive policy in place for coverage policy decisions and does cover certain genetic tests for both its self-insured and fully insured customers.
Aetna's policy is based upon current peer-reviewed literature, as well as recommendations, standards and guidelines of the relevant professional colleges and societies. In his presentation, Dr. Rowe encouraged health plans to make available products to their self-insured plan sponsors and their fully insured customers that:
- Cover genetic testing in individuals shown to be at risk where results may affect the course of treatment of the insured.
- Cover genetic testing for a family member where the family member is not otherwise insured, and results may affect the course of treatment of an at-risk insured.
- Cover consultation with qualified counselors and physicians, and facilitate the appropriate interpretation of genetic testing results.
- Support physician education in the appropriate interpretation and use of genetic tests, including guidance in selection of medication (pharmacogenetics).
- Work with physicians to promote confidentiality and to use genetic information for the maximum benefit of the member.
Dr. Rowe also encouraged health plans to support legislation that would, among other things, prohibit:
- The establishment of rules for health coverage eligibility based on genetic testing.
- Requesting or requiring genetic testing results as a condition to providing health insurance coverage.
- Using genetic testing for risk selection or risk classification purposes in providing health coverage.
- Disclosing genetic testing results that may come into their possession without member authorization.
Currently, laws specifically regulating the use of genetic information, while present in most states, vary considerably from state to state. It is important that legislation be adopted to establish a uniform set of rules, which would ultimately benefit consumers and avoid confusion.
Aetna is one of the nation's leading providers of health care and related group benefits, serving 15.0 million health care members, 12.1 million dental members and 11.9 million group insurance customers, as of March 31, 2002. Information about Aetna is available at www.aetna.com.
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