Genetic Testing and Insurance

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charliey
charliey Member Posts: 10
edited June 2014 in HER2+ (Positive) Breast Cancer

I am having my meeting with the genetic counselor in the morning.  I am very interested in having the testing done because I think I will probably be positive, given the family history of cancer that I know of.

My concern is over whether or not this will cause insurance problems in the future if I have a recurrence.  Does anyone have any insight/experience with this?

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  • orange1
    orange1 Member Posts: 930
    edited February 2009

    There is a federal law that prohibits discrimination based on genetic testing.

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  • Brenda_R
    Brenda_R Member Posts: 509
    edited February 2009

    When I asked my Onc about BRCA testing he said "your type of cancer is not genetic and your insurance co. won't pay for it". I'm the same as you, ER/PR- Her2 positive IDC. My maternal aunts had 1)BC and 2) lung cancer, both died of their cancers. 

    I wonder if he was lying to me so I wouldn't push for the test, or being truthfull?

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  • charliey
    charliey Member Posts: 10
    edited February 2009

    I'm so new to this I'm just learning, but I don't see how he could know whether or not yours is genetic without the test.

    My surgeon actually wants to know because we haven't yet made the decision about how aggressive to be with my surgery.  I have two malignant tumours in the left and a biopsy sked for another one in the right (discovered after the first two biopsies.)  That biopsy will probably determine what we do, but if it is benign, then the genetic testing will be more of a factor. . .

     Most importantly, I just want to know because I have 3 daughters.

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  • charliey
    charliey Member Posts: 10
    edited February 2009
    orange1 thanks for the post about the law.  Was just reading about that.  I don't want to be cynical -- I hope it really does protect us! Laughing
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  • MargaretB
    MargaretB Member Posts: 1,305
    edited February 2009

    Brenda, I don't see how he would know about your cancer being genetic or not without the test.  Charliey, I don't know if the testing would raise flags about insurance but orange1 is right about the law.

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  • DML
    DML Member Posts: 17
    edited February 2009

    Brenda,

    Huh?  My breast surgeon has recommended genetic testing due to my family history.  I too am ER/PR-,  HER2+ IDC.  She said insurance would approve it.  Our cancer is similar.  What would be the point of genetic testing if an oncologist could tell without it????  I recommend asking him again and if he responds the same, ask him to double check his facts. 

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