Why disclosure of genetic tests for health insurance should be voluntary

Abstract

Whether the disclosure of genetic (and non-genetic) information should be mandatory or voluntary is of concern. At present there are two opposing camps--the insurance industry argues for mandatory disclosure to avoid problems of adverse selection, and genetic interest groups argue for voluntary disclosure, fearing discrimination and public reluctance to have tests, thus missing out on any benefits from subsequent interventions. Policy has to balance these sides of the debate, as reducing adverse selection and encouraging maximum take-up of tests are both important for public health. We outline why voluntary disclosure is the optimal policy as it creates an incentive for people both to undergo testing and to disclose their result thus reducing the potential for adverse section.

Unjustified Discrimination: Is the Moratorium on the use of Genetic Test Results by Insurers a Contradiction in Terms?

“…Without low-risk clients to balance their books, the insurance market will collapse, or insurers will choose not to participate any longer. Both events signal the end of the insurance industry [30]. Alternatively, the argument can be formulated in this way: the founding principle of the insurance industry is mutuality.…”

Genetic information: Important but not “exceptional”

“…Ashcroft (2007) and Holm (2007) outline the difficult issues which arise. On one hand, insurers argue that knowing this type of information means that premiums can be set more accurately than would be possible if that information was not available (Smith and Raithatha 2006). It is also conceivable that insurers would "reward" risk-reducing behaviour by a decrease in premiums (Davey 2000).…”