Genetic testing and health insurance (please help)

previviorist

Hi all,

I'm a 28 y/o female who recently discovered that my aunts on my father's side (2 of 4) have tested pos. for BRCA1. They were both diagnosed at age 30. One survived, the other did not because she waited too late. The survivor had a double mastectomy and has been in remission for 15 years.

I have health insurance abroad (I work abroad) but I don't have health insurance at home. Now I'm shopping for a health insurance policy because I want to be sure that I'm able to provide and care for myself in the event that I have a mutated gene. I purchased a policy that will begin next month assuming I'm "approved".

I have the option of testing for the gene here where I live now or waiting until I come home (after the policy begins). Would there be any negative consequences of me testing here before my insurance begins at home? Could I then be labeled as a 'pre-existing condition'? Could the insurance company gain access to my testing information if I pay for it without filing for insurance?

I am torn between waiting and I am anxious to know. There is no way to know if my father was a carrier of the gene and he passed away 15 years ago so I can't ask. Obviously, the curiousity has put me at stress.

Thanks for any help in advance.

peggy_j

Did I read this right, the you hope to be approved within the month. Is so, I would definitely recommend waiting to be tested.