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June 19, 2002
Aetna Pushes Genetic Testing
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On the other, it is calling on other health plans to back federal legislation that would prohibit discrimination based on test results.
The Hartford Courant reports that Aetna sees health and cost-savings benefits in genetic testing - namely earlier and more effective treatment of genetic disease.
But it faces longstanding distrust from some consumers and consumer advocates in promoting the cause.
Some consumers are reluctant to get tested because they fear bias in insurance and employment, even though Aetna, CIGNA, Health Net and many other insurers already cover genetic tests and counseling under certain circumstances.
"There is a pressing need for the health insurance industry to establish guidelines for covering genetic testing in a way that promotes disease prevention and disease management, while at the same time respecting members' privacy," Aetna chief executive Dr. John W. Rowe said in a written statement Monday.
"A small investment in testing today can prevent or mitigate human suffering while saving on health care costs in the future," said Rowe, who initiated his drive in a speech Saturday at a University of Rochester symposium on genetic privacy and discrimination.
Rowe encourages coverage for testing of relatives who don't belong to the health plan if the results would help evaluate members' risk and affect their treatment.
Aetna says genetic testing represented less than one tenth of 1 percent of its medical spending last year. The company covers about 40 genetic tests, including those for Huntington's disease, breast cancer, Tay-Sachs disease and cystic fibrosis for members who meet certain criteria.
The cost can run from $400 to more than $2,000 a test.
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