3 ms·

But if your DNA report reveals markers for some potential health problems, and you are aware of that and do not disclose it to the insurance company when you si

But if your DNA report reveals markers for some potential health problems, and you are aware of that and do not disclose it to the insurance company when you sign up, they can cancel your policy in the future for not sharing all known health issues with them, if they find out somehow that you obtained that report and did not share it.

Someone1234 8y ago
Since the introduction of the ACA ("Obamacare") the US no longer works the way you're claiming. You don't have to disclose preexisting conditions during sign-up, and your policy cannot be cancelled due to failure to disclose.
dekhn 8y ago
this is true for life insurance but not health insurance. also it seems reasonable that your insurance company shiould have access to data that defines your risk since it helps them make better statistical models to manage risk across large pools of people as well as tailor the policy costs to your individualized risk. This is how it works in other areas, like car insurance; with an absence of data, your policy is roughly based on the average individual, but as you gain more years of driving experience (good or bad), they factor that in. Bad drivers who get in more accidents pay more because their behavior is riskier and costs more. (the big difference being, in this case, genetic risk is predetermined and not something you can easily change through behaviur modification).
- DoreenMichele 8y ago
  I worked in insurance. A large part of how they manage costs is by policy exclusions. I believe universal coverage where they can't exclude pre-existing conditions breaks the insurance model. It really needs to be covered by the government, like police and fire. Universal health coverage makes sense as a public good. It doesn't really make sense as an insurance product.

3 ms·

But if your DNA report reveals markers for some potential health problems, and you are aware of that and do not disclose it to the insurance company when you si

by jasonjayr 8y ago

Someone1234 8y ago
Since the introduction of the ACA ("Obamacare") the US no longer works the way you're claiming. You don't have to disclose preexisting conditions during sign-up, and your policy cannot be cancelled due to failure to disclose.
dekhn 8y ago
this is true for life insurance but not health insurance. also it seems reasonable that your insurance company shiould have access to data that defines your risk since it helps them make better statistical models to manage risk across large pools of people as well as tailor the policy costs to your individualized risk. This is how it works in other areas, like car insurance; with an absence of data, your policy is roughly based on the average individual, but as you gain more years of driving experience (good or bad), they factor that in. Bad drivers who get in more accidents pay more because their behavior is riskier and costs more. (the big difference being, in this case, genetic risk is predetermined and not something you can easily change through behaviur modification).
- DoreenMichele 8y ago
  I worked in insurance. A large part of how they manage costs is by policy exclusions. I believe universal coverage where they can't exclude pre-existing conditions breaks the insurance model. It really needs to be covered by the government, like police and fire. Universal health coverage makes sense as a public good. It doesn't really make sense as an insurance product.