What you will learn:

• Recognize that genetic testing results are private and personal
• Name the federal laws that protect your health information
• Recall the only way genetic testing information can be released

U.S. federal law protects genetic testing results

The Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) is a federal law. It protects some people from discrimination by health insurance companies and employers based on their genetic information. GINA does not apply to:

• Life insurance
• Long-term care insurance
• Disability insurance

More information can be found at http://ginahelp.org/

Your genetic test results are protected health information under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). They cannot be shared without your consent.

Mayo Clinic GeneGuide™ :

• Takes active steps to keep your results secure
• Provides your results only to you to share as you choose
• Does not provide your results or genetic data to any healthcare provider or electronic health record

Another federal law named Genetics Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) provides further privacy protection regarding insurance and employment.