HIPAA Privacy - Uses and Disclosures for Underwriting and Related Purposes 164.514(g)
Overview:
§164.514(g)
Standard: Uses and disclosures for underwriting and related purposes
If a health plan receives protected health information for the purpose of underwriting, premium rating, or other activities relating to the creation, renewal, or replacement of a contract of health insurance or health benefits, and if such health insurance or health benefits are not placed with the health plan, such health plan may only use or disclose such protected health information for such purpose or as may be required by law, subject to the prohibition at § 164.502(a)(5)(i) with respect to genetic information included in the protected health information.
§ 164.502(a)(5)
(i) Use and disclosure of genetic information for underwriting purposes: Notwithstanding any other provision of this subpart, a health plan, excluding an issuer of a long-term care policy falling within paragraph (1)(viii) of the definition of health plan, shall not use or disclose protected health information that is genetic information for underwriting purposes. For purposes of paragraph (a)(5)(i) of this section, underwriting purposes means, with respect to a health plan:
(A) Except as provided in paragraph (a)(5)(i)(B) of this section: (1) Rules for, or determination of, eligibility (including enrollment and continued eligibility) for, or determination of, benefits under the plan, coverage, or policy (including changes in deductibles or other cost-sharing mechanisms in return for activities such as completing a health risk assessment or participating in a wellness program); (2) The computation of premium or contribution amounts under the plan, coverage, or policy (including discounts, rebates, payments in kind, or other premium differential mechanisms in return for activities such as completing a health risk assessment or participating in a wellness program); (3) The application of any pre-existing condition exclusion under the plan, coverage, or policy; and (4) Other activities related to the creation, renewal, or replacement of a contract of health insurance or health benefits.
(B) Underwriting purposes does not include determinations of medical appropriateness where an individual seeks a benefit under the plan, coverage, or policy.
From § 160.103 Definitions.
Genetic information means: (1) Subject to paragraphs (2) and (3) of this definition, with respect to an individual, information about: (i) The individual's genetic tests; (ii) The genetic tests of family members of the individual; (iii) The manifestation of a disease or disorder in family members of such individual; or (iv) Any request for, or receipt of, genetic services, or participation in clinical research which includes genetic services, by the individual or any family member of the individual. (2) Any reference in this subchapter to genetic information concerning an individual or family member of an individual shall include the genetic information of:
(i) A fetus carried by the individual or family member who is a pregnant woman; and (ii) Any embryo legally held by an individual or family member utilizing an assisted reproductive technology. (3) Genetic information excludes information about the sex or age of any individual.
(ii) Genetic services means: (1) A genetic test; (2) Genetic counseling (including obtaining, interpreting, or assessing genetic information); or (3) Genetic education. Genetic test means an analysis of human DNA, RNA, chromosomes, proteins, or metabolites, if the analysis detects genotypes, mutations, or chromosomal changes. Genetic test does not include an analysis of proteins or metabolites that is directly related to a manifested disease, disorder, or pathological condition.
Action Items:
1) Obtain and review policies and procedures and evaluate the content relative to the established performance criterion. If health insurance or health benefits are not placed with the health plan, do the policies and procedures limit further use or disclosure for such purpose or as may be required by law?
Related Documents:
1) Policies and procedures and evaluate the content relative to the established performance criterion.
Additional Guidance:
Health care operations are any of the following activities: (a) quality assessment and improvement activities, including case management and care coordination; (b) competency assurance activities, including provider or health plan performance evaluation, credentialing, and accreditation; (c) conducting or arranging for medical reviews, audits, or legal services, including fraud and abuse detection and compliance programs; (d) specified insurance functions, such as underwriting, risk rating, and reinsuring risk; (e) business planning, development, management, and administration; and (f) business management and general administrative activities of the entity, including but not limited to: de-identifying protected health information, creating a limited data set, and certain fundraising for the benefit of the covered entity.