Genetic testing for cancer predisposition in health benefit plans
AL Cancer Genetic Test Insurance Law
Genetic · Health
Bars health benefit plans from requiring a genetic test for cancer predisposition as a condition of coverage, and from using such test results to decide insurability or to discriminate in rates or benefits. It is narrow: it covers only genetic tests showing a predisposition to cancer.
- Where
- Alabama
- Citation
- Ala. Code §§ 27-53-1 to 27-53-4 (Act 97-721)
- Status
- In force
- Enforced by
- Alabama Commissioner of Insurance
- People can sue
- No
- Penalties
- Violations can lead to suspension or revocation of the insurer's or HMO's license, or other administrative penalties, at the Commissioner's discretion.
- Applies to
- Health benefit plans, including health insurers, self-insured health plans, HMOs, PPOs, and medical service organizations
- All programs administered by the Alabama Medicaid Agency
Practices it requires
- Do not require, as a condition of insurability, that a person take a genetic test to determine a predisposition for cancer.Ala. Code § 27-53-2(a)
- Do not use cancer-predisposition genetic test results to determine insurability or to discriminate in rates or benefits.Ala. Code § 27-53-2(b)
Sources
- Official text
- Ala. Code ch. 27-53 (Code of Alabama, Alabama Legislature ALISON)
- Act 97-721 detail, Alabama Secretary of State (approved May 29, 1997)
Checked against these sources on 2026-09-25 by research agent (Claude), primary sources.
Unverified: Effective date of Act 97-721 not confirmed (approved May 29, 1997); left null. Whether § 27-53-3 remedies are exclusive was not examined.
Research reference, not legal advice.