A. As used in this section:

Terms Used In Virginia Code 38.2-508.4

  • Accident and sickness insurance: means insurance against loss resulting from sickness, or from bodily injury or death by accident or accidental means, or from a combination of any or all of these perils. See Virginia Code 38.2-109
  • Contract: A legal written agreement that becomes binding when signed.
  • Corporation: A legal entity owned by the holders of shares of stock that have been issued, and that can own, receive, and transfer property, and carry on business in its own name.
  • Health services plan: means any arrangement for offering or administering health services or similar or related services by a corporation licensed under Chapter 42 of Title 59. See Virginia Code 38.2-100
  • Insurer: means an insurance company. See Virginia Code 38.2-100
  • Person: means any association, aggregate of individuals, business, company, corporation, individual, joint-stock company, Lloyds type of organization, organization, partnership, receiver, reciprocal or interinsurance exchange, trustee or society. See Virginia Code 38.2-100
  • rates: means any rate of premium, policy fee, membership fee or any other charge made by an insurer for or in connection with a contract or policy of insurance. See Virginia Code 38.2-100

“Genetic characteristic” means any scientifically or medically identifiable gene or chromosome, or alteration thereof, which is known to be a cause of a disease or disorder, or determined to be associated with a statistically increased risk of development of a disease or disorder, and which is asymptomatic of any disease or disorder.

“Genetic information” means information about genes, gene products, or inherited characteristics that may derive from an individual or a family member.

“Genetic test” means a test for determining the presence or absence of genetic characteristics in an individual in order to diagnose a genetic characteristic.

B. No person proposing to issue, re-issue, or renew any policy, contract, or plan of accident and sickness insurance defined in § 38.2-109, but excluding disability income insurance, issued by any (i) insurer providing hospital, medical and surgical or major medical coverage on an expense incurred basis, (ii) corporation providing a health services plan, or (iii) health maintenance organization providing a health care plan for health care services shall, on the basis of any genetic information obtained concerning an individual or on the individual’s request for genetic services, with respect to such policy, contract, or plan:

1. Terminate, restrict, limit, or otherwise apply conditions to coverage of an individual or restrict the sale to an individual;

2. Cancel or refuse to renew the coverage of an individual;

3. Exclude an individual from coverage;

4. Impose a waiting period prior to commencement of coverage of an individual;

5. Require inclusion of a rider that excludes coverage for certain benefits and services; or

6. Establish differentials in premium rates for coverage.

In addition, no discrimination shall be made in the fees or commissions of an agent or agency for an enrollment, a subscription, or the renewal of an enrollment or subscription of any person on the basis of a person’s genetic characteristics which may, under some circumstances, be associated with disability in that person or that person’s offspring.

C. Notwithstanding any other provisions of law, all information obtained from genetic screening or testing conducted prior to the repeal of this section shall be confidential and shall not be made public nor used in any way, in whole or in part, to cancel, refuse to issue or renew, or limit benefits under any policy, contract or plan subject to the provisions of this section.

1996, c. 704.

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