NASHVILLE — With the popularity of genetic testing kits increasing, more people may begin to experience repercussions where their insurance premiums are concerned.
The internet provides people with nearly anything they could possibly want day or night, but you may want to think twice before ordering a take-home genetics test from one of the many sites that offer them.
Insurance premiums are determined by what sort of risk a person poses to their insurance company. This means that learning more about your heritage and the health conditions in your family history could lead to your insurance company charging you more.
Jason Veirs, president and owner of insuranceexperts.com, warned that "a genetic test through a physician will become part of your medical history." Veirs says the general rule is if it's in your medical records, insurance carriers can ask to see it. On the other hand, if you are using a consumer genetic testing kit, you will have to decide whether or not your trust that company to keep your results private.
In the end, insurance companies cannot force you to take a genetics test and therefore, the choice to use one of these kits is entirely up to you.