HD Australia

Health insurer defends genetic check-ups               
Feb 16, 2010 7:02am
     
          

                                   
DNA tests won't mean high rates for sick customers when it comes to insurance, NIB promises.
    
NIBchief executive Mark Fitzgibbon said offering customers cut-price DNAtests meant they'll be more likely to increase their "health behaviour".
Helping policy holders stay fit makes sense "for obvious commercial reasons", he told ABC TV.
The results of genetic testing could even save lives.
"Ibelieve with all my heart that in 10 years every general practitionerin the country will have this type of information at their disposal toassist them in making better decisions."
Critics said the tests,to be conducted by US company Navigenics, could lead to increasedpremiums or insurers refusing cover altogether for those morepredisposed to disease.
They were also worried GPs weren't involved in the process.
But Mr Fitzgibbon today dismissed the concerns.
"Ifwe need to do more in terms of encouraging people to take these teststo their doctors ... maybe that's what we'll do," he said.
"This is very much in a pilot phase."
NIB's boss also stressed that health funds couldn't charge higher premiums to customers with greater risk levels.
"The principle of community rating prevents that," he said.
"We have to charge the same premium to everybody irrespective of their age, their genes or whatever the case may be."
But Mr Fitzgibbon admitted other forms of cover, including life insurance, could be affected.