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Genetic Testing Exceptions

Meaning

Genetic Testing Exceptions are specific, legally defined circumstances under the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) and related regulations where an employer or health plan is permitted to request, or may inadvertently receive, an individual’s genetic information without violating the law. Examples include information acquired through publicly available documents, through a voluntary employer-sponsored wellness program that meets stringent criteria, or as part of health services offered by the employer as an integral part of treatment. Understanding these exceptions is crucial for clinical staff to accurately advise patients on the precise boundaries of their privacy protections. They are narrowly tailored allowances.