Privacy Protection
PrintMyriad’s HIPAA Compliance and Privacy Policy
Federal and state laws prohibit health insurance discrimination against patients who undergo genetic testing. In 1996, the federal government enacted the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), which protects patients in group health insurance plans from discrimination based on genetic information.
Myriad Genetic Laboratories, Inc. is dedicated to offering high-quality laboratory services and is committed to securing patient privacy through full compliance with HIPAA and an active privacy program. Myriad discloses test results only to the requesting healthcare provider/designee, and not to anyone else (including insurance carriers) without written permission from the patient.
As mandated by HIPAA, Myriad requires all its employees to undergo privacy awareness training and has implemented administrative and technical safeguards to protect patient privacy. Myriad is also committed to compliance with HIPAA Security and the Transactions and Code Sets regulations, prior to their respective compliance deadlines.
Notice of Privacy Practices
Federal and state governments recognize the value of genetic information to patients and doctors and have put specific legal protections in place. The Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act or GINA adds additional protection to existing legal protections that are in place at both the federal and state levels. GINA is a federal law that protects Americans from being treated unfairly based on differences in their DNA. GINA prevents discrimination from health insurers and employers. Health insurers are prohibited from requesting or requiring an individual or family member to undergo a genetic test or requesting, requiring, or purchasing genetic information, nor can they use an individual’s genetic information in setting eligibility, premium or contribution amounts by group and individual health insurers. GINA also protects individuals from employers requesting, requiring, or purchasing genetic information about an individual employee or family member. In addition, the employer is prohibited from using an individual’s genetic information in employment decisions such as hiring, firing, job assignments and promotions.
The Health Insurance Portability & Accountability Act (HIPAA) recognizes genetic information as Protected Health Information (PHI) and specifies protecting its confidentiality. HIPAA further states that "genetic information shall not be treated as a pre-existing condition in the absence of a diagnosis of the condition related to such information," e.g., a diagnosis of hereditary cancer. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) provides additional protections regarding the use of genetic information by employers.
Almost all states have additional laws that protect people from various forms of health insurance and employment discrimination based on genetic information. For more information about how these laws apply to you, go to the National Human Genome Research Institute at:
http://www.genome.gov/PolicyEthics/LegDatabase/pubMapSearch.cfm.
Complaints about privacy or confidentiality should be directed to:
Quality and Compliance Department—Privacy Office
Email: quality@myriad.com
Phone: (801) 883-3263