Genetic testing and your private health insurance
nib health funds recently launched a pilot program to a group of customers offering a genetic testing service through Navigenics, a US based company that provides genetic testing and health assessment programs.
This has attracted plenty of attention and caused much debate about the ethics and privacy issues associated with genetic testing.
A genetic testing service will not impact on your nib health insurance premiums
The results from genetic testing are strictly confidential and can only be accessed by the customer and Navigenics. nib health funds nor any third party will have access to any genetic test results.
Due to legislation around community rating, health funds in Australia including nib health funds, cannot charge higher premiums or refuse to cover an individual because of their age, sex, health risk profile or even genetic profiling. What this means is an obese person with a heart condition is treated exactly the same for health insurance as a fitness fanatic.
A genetic testing service has the potential to be a valuable tool for your health care
Knowing your genetic risks for important health conditions is an important investment in your health. By gaining insight into your health risks you have the power to help delay or prevent conditions such as:
- Breast cancer
- Celiac disease
- Type 2 diabetes
- Colon cancer
- Heart disease
- Lung cancer
- Macular degeneration
- And many more preventable diseases
Our goal, as always, is to provide you with leading health products and services
Click here if you would like more information and to sign up to this new service.
Things that you should know
- A genetic testing service will not impact on your health insurance premiums
- Navigenics genetic testing is available to anyone over the age of 18.
- Neither nib health funds nor any third parties will have access to any genetic test results. Only Navigenics and the individual will have access to these results.
- Genetic testing is an individual’s choice and voluntary.
- You may be required to disclose genetic test results, including any underlying health risks and conditions, which the tests reveal, to life insurance or superannuation providers. You can always call your insurance company to check if they ask for genetic testing service results. However, you will not be required to inform nib health funds that you have taken this test nor will we have access to the results.
- nib health funds is not a genetic testing expert. We have no specific knowledge regarding genetic testing services and as such we expressly exclude any implied warranty relating to the service of merchantable quality or otherwise.
- If you decide to undergo genetic testing, you will enter into a contract directly with Navigenics. Before signing up to Navigenics, nib recommends carefully reading the contract, related disclosure and information at Navigenics.com
